AUSTIN, Texas — A deaf woman has filed a lawsuit against a Round Rock, Texas, emergency room, claiming she was denied access to an interpreter and received medical treatment without her consent.
The lawsuit, filed in a Texas court, asserts that the medical staff’s actions violated the plaintiff’s rights under federal law, particularly the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The plaintiff, whose identity has been withheld for privacy reasons, recounts that the absence of a qualified interpreter during her visit to the ER left her unable to communicate effectively with the medical team.
Her attorneys argue that this communication gap led to distress and a violation of her autonomy when she was treated without fully understanding or consenting to the procedures.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the emotional and psychological harm the plaintiff alleges she suffered. It also advocates for changes to ensure that healthcare facilities comply with federal laws requiring effective communication with patients who have disabilities.
The Round Rock ER’s legal team denies the allegations, claiming that the facility followed the required protocols and used unspecified methods to communicate with the patient.
