Suing hospital for taking Interpreter away from me

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Lee H.

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Can this be done?

Last week, I went to E.R. When I got there, the triage nurse had remote interpter (interpreter on computer screen.) Afterward, they did not provide me with terp. When I left hospital, there was a "NO" where it asks if I need interpreter on discharge paper.

So anyway,, By providing me with interpreter during Triage, they KNEW I am deaf and need interpreter, yet took it away from me, they should be sued... At no time, I ever told them that I didn't need an interpreter. The only time, I had trouble was this,, the terp asked if I had any weapon on me,, I thought,, what,, so asked terp to repeat it,, he said same.. so I ask the nurse,, are you kidding me,, you asked if I have any weapon,,, I think that lead them to think that I can't understand interpeter.

So anyway,, i want to know of any successful cases in which deaf pt. won against hospital. Is there any?
 
Lee H. said:
Can this be done?

Last week, I went to E.R. When I got there, the triage nurse had remote interpter (interpreter on computer screen.) Afterward, they did not provide me with terp. When I left hospital, there was a "NO" where it asks if I need interpreter on discharge paper.

So anyway,, By providing me with interpreter during Triage, they KNEW I am deaf and need interpreter, yet took it away from me, they should be sued... At no time, I ever told them that I didn't need an interpreter. The only time, I had trouble was this,, the terp asked if I had any weapon on me,, I thought,, what,, so asked terp to repeat it,, he said same.. so I ask the nurse,, are you kidding me,, you asked if I have any weapon,,, I think that lead them to think that I can't understand interpeter.

So anyway,, i want to know of any successful cases in which deaf pt. won against hospital. Is there any?
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I can to Vanderbilt, and they have to offer a terp to anybody that needs one. whether it be because of a different language or deafness.

Im sure a lawyer would like to hear your story
 
Call hosp and threaten to sue maybe they will give you settlement w/o having to go to court or waive your medical bills. I think it would be possible to win but could get expensive, so try this way first?
 
marcyp06 said:
Call hosp and threaten to sue maybe they will give you settlement w/o having to go to court or waive your medical bills. I think it would be possible to win but could get expensive, so try this way first?
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Threaten to sue? They will ignore that.
 
I'm sorry to know that. :(

Well, it still bothers me. I mean, what is annoying me that almost everyone have no problem with provided various languages for interpreters but not ASL or signer interpreters. Eh, whatever.
 
Glenn said:
Threaten to sue? They will ignore that.
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If you give them proof that you have a valid case they may be likely to waive all the medical bills rather than go to court.

When did you go to CWU?
 
marcyp06 said:
If you give them proof that you have a valid case they may be likely to waive all the medical bills rather than go to court.

When did you go to CWU?
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2000-04 & 2006-10. I have two degrees.

A lawyer would be the one to show a valid case.
 
Glenn said:
2000-04 & 2006-10. I have two degrees.

A lawyer would be the one to show a valid case.
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Wow! Youre busy! lol

Yes, I realize that. Ive just taken on legal stuff before and got more in debt for doing it in the first place and dont want to see anyone else in that position. Good luck with all of it.
 
I believe you are entitled to have an interpreter when you're in the hospital.
There is a sign in my hospital ER saying if you need an interpreter in any of these languages, one will be provided to you. The list has every languages you can think of, however it does not say anything about an interpreter for the deaf or HOH. Something need to be done about this! The hospital has put your health at risk as they could ask you if are allergic to a drug and you may not had know you where being asked this , and then be given a shot !
 
I'm having a problem "understanding" what "remote interpretor" is....I've always had a "live" one.....Is this "text"?....or was this computer screen when they were asking him questions about health insurance, etc.?

Interpretors, where I live, are super busy. At times, I've not been able to get one, and of course, I was pissed!....There's a shortage of qualified interpretors, especially in medical terminology.

I've never been "asked" if I have any guns/weapons on me whenever i went to the Doctor or the Hospital ER.....

And it's possible that you did not need an interpretor upon discharge...."to explain anything needed to know after discharge."....All depends upon why you went to the ER to start with.

All in all, the OP needs to explain more clearly....
 
rockin'robin said:
I'm having a problem "understanding" what "remote interpretor" is....I've always had a "live" one.....Is this "text"?....or was this computer screen when they were asking him questions about health insurance, etc.?

Interpretors, where I live, are super busy. At times, I've not been able to get one, and of course, I was pissed!....There's a shortage of qualified interpretors, especially in medical terminology.

I've never been "asked" if I have any guns/weapons on me whenever i went to the Doctor or the Hospital ER.....

And it's possible that you did not need an interpretor upon discharge...."to explain anything needed to know after discharge."....All depends upon why you went to the ER to start with.

All in all, the OP needs to explain more clearly....
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Robin, think of it as a VP set up....I believe VRI means Video Remote Interpreting. The hospital in this case provided a real-time interpreter via video.....
 
Thank you for all your inputs.

I am still ticked off that the ER didn't follow through with the terp. My daughter who was with me (and so-so signer) is just as baffled.. We talked about it and she remembers that I asked about it several times about it. She even asked about it too, no luck either.

Tousi, thank you for explaining VRI. I have heard of it but NEVER had those until last week and I love it! no more waiting hours to be seen,, I was seen by Triage within 10 minutes after I got there and the terp was ready! I LOVE IT! Yet, why did they not keep it for me,, I am still confused.

All in all, I found a local advocate who will take my case.

Oh yeah,, Rockin'Robin... About weapon,, I found out yesterday that it's a routine question to protect the ER workers. They ask so that they can secure your weapon while you are in their care.. it does make sense.

Will keep you guys posted.
 
A local advocate is a very good idea.

The legal process can take years.
 
I remember that I read an article somewhere to talk about a hospital settlement over deaf and HOH people's complaints about communication access. So, here is:

"Deaf Should Bring Friends/Family to Hospital, No Interpreter"
Friday September 26, 2008
In response to an article in the Concord, New Hampshire Union Leader about a hospital settlement over deaf and hard of hearing people's complaints about communication access, a hearing person asked why deaf people can't bring a friend or family member with them to the hospital and the cost of an interpreter be avoided. As part of the settlement, there was a monetary award, but the important thing is the hospital agreed to set up a program to improve communication access, providing interpreters and auxiliary aids. Every time I think that the hearing world is improving its understanding of deafness, I come across something surprising like this and it is a wake-up call...

Talk about the (occasional) ignorance of hearing people on the forum. No registration required!

"Deaf Should Bring Friends/Family to Hospital, No Interpreter"
 
Thank you Sosie.

I am still at a loss as to why my local ER provided me with a remote terp during triage and then not providing it afterward. that's 5 hours of confusion that night.
 
Lee H. said:
Thank you Sosie.

I am still at a loss as to why my local ER provided me with a remote terp during triage and then not providing it afterward. that's 5 hours of confusion that night.
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You are welcome!

This story is similar like yours. That's why I wanted to share it with you.
I am so sorry to hear that. I suggest that you need to discuss this with a licensed counselor after seeing an attorney. Am I making any sense?
I wish you the best of luck!!! :)
 
Ok, first question here: Did the lack of interpreter cause any misdiagnoses?

If you have nothing... Well, you have nothing. Sorry to say.
 
Many hospitals have contract with terps agencies. For surgeries, you can ask for one when making a schedule. IF the receptionist or schedule don't know, tell them to ask the patient relation office or foreign language offices. But for a triage? Come on, write.
see ADA Home Page - ada.gov - Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Office for Civil Rights and Disability.gov: Connecting the Disability Community to Information & Opportunities

marcyp06, you contradicted yourself in all your posting.
 
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