By THEO KARANTSALIS
Special to the News-Sun
FORT LAUDERDALE - A deaf woman who waited two days before receiving proper care won a discrimination lawsuit against a Palm Beach County hospital in federal court.
Pennie Fuller, 44, of Sebring, is deaf and uses sign language to communicate, alleged that Wellington Regional Medical Center intentionally discriminated against her based on her disability.
Fuller was rushed to the emergency room at Wellington in May 2004 after fracturing her knee and waited two days in extreme pain because the hospital did not have access to a qualified sign language interpreter, according to the complaint filed on Dec. 21, 2005.
When Fuller used the call button to get the attention of the hospital staff, they "would attempt to respond on the intercom," according to the complaint.
Fuller alleged she experienced humiliation and discrimination in violation of her civil rights.
A jury awarded Fuller $76,400 on Dec. 18 to compensate her for physical and mental pain and anguish as a result of the discrimination by Wellington.
"Hospitals are required to provide qualified sign language interpreters when necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf," said Matthew Dietz, Fuller's co-counsel and a disability rights attorney based in Miami.
The deaf community is entitled to have the same quality of care and treatment as the hearing community."
Wellington officials could not be reached for comment.
Friday, December 26, 2008 - www.newssun.com/1226-Sebring-woman-wins