Class Action Settlement Reached with Sutter Health

05.13.08

The law firms of Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian and Disability Rights Advocates ("DRA"), have announced a class action settlement reached with Sutter Health to remedy a range of access barriers for persons with mobility, visual, hearing and speech disabilities in Sutter hospitals, medical foundations, and clinics throughout northern California. The settlement in the case entitled Olson, et al. v. Sutter Health, et al., Case No. RG06-302354, Superior Court of Alameda County, provides that Sutter will (1) identify and remove architectural barriers at its facilities; (2) provide auxiliary aids and services necessary to ensure effective communication, such as sign language interpreters and written documents in alternative formats such as Braille, large print and audio; (3) provide accessible medical equipment for persons with physical disabilities; and (4) enhance Sutter Health policies, practices, and procedures and staff training programs to ensure that patients and/or visitors with disabilities are provided with equal access to Sutter's facilities, equipment, programs, and services.

On April 28, 2008, the court preliminarily approved the settlement. The court will hold a final approval hearing regarding the settlement on July 11, 2008.

A copy the Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement, and a copy of the Consent Decree containing the terms of the settlement are available on the Goldstein Demchak website at www.gdblegal.com, on the DRA website at www.dralegal.org, or by calling Damon Valdez of Goldstein Demchak toll free at 1-866-723-1494.