NEW ORLEANS – A deaf Tangipahoa Parish couple allege that a health care facility in the parish failed to provide interpreters for the wife's care.
Rebecca Varnado and James W. Varnado II filed a complaint on May 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Hospital Service District No. 1 of Tangipahoa Parish alleging violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they communicate primarily using American Sign Language. The suit states Rebecca Varnado was diagnosed with gall stones and was instructed to go to North Oaks Hospital for their removal. The plaintiffs hold Hospital Service District No. 1 of Tangipahoa Parish responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to ensure effective communication through providing interpreters onsite or through the use of working VRI machines.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek monetary and injunctive relief, plus interest, award for attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements and all other relief that the court finds necessary and appropriate. They are represented by Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. DeReus and Marc P. Florman of Bizer & DeReus in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:17-cv-05028