The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement with the Polyclinic, operating as Optum Care Washington, regarding allegations that one of its medical facilities failed to provide adequate sign language interpreter services for a deaf and blind patient. This alleged failure was found to be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Under the terms of the agreement, the Polyclinic will pay $25,000 to the affected patient who experienced multiple cancelled appointments or received insufficient interpreter services. Additionally, a fund of $350,000 has been established to compensate other patients who may have been impacted by similar failures between January 1, 2021, and September 30, 2025.
To improve compliance with the ADA moving forward, the Polyclinic will ensure that appropriate interpreter services are available for all patients. The organization has agreed to contract with at least five companies to provide these services. As part of their intake process, they will assess each patient’s need for aids or services and designate a point person responsible for overseeing assistive devices and related support. This staff member will be supported by additional employees who can arrange necessary accommodations.
All employees involved in arranging these services will receive mandatory training approved by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on identifying communication needs and securing interpreters. Training will also extend to all staff members who interact directly with patients.
The Polyclinic is required to keep a log documenting patients or companions needing assistive services and what was provided; if no service was offered, an explanation must be included. These logs will form part of periodic compliance reports submitted every six months to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Information about available auxiliary aids and how to request them will be posted both in Braille and printed signs within clinic locations as well as on the Polyclinic website.
If any complaints arise concerning failure to provide necessary auxiliary aids or services, these must be forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office within 30 days.
In addition to compensating affected individuals, the Polyclinic will pay $25,000 to the United States “to vindicate the public interest in enforcement of the ADA.” A Claims Administrator will review records from during the claims period and contact potentially eligible patients about compensation from the dedicated fund; details about this process will also be made available online. Any funds remaining after legitimate claims are processed will return to Polyclinic.
This settlement agreement is set for two years.
According to officials, this marks the fourth resolution in recent years involving medical groups accused of failing to meet obligations toward deaf or deaf/blind patients under federal law. In three prior cases over as many years, settlements were reached with MultiCare Health Systems, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver (Washington), and University of Washington Medical Center – Northwest (UWMC-NW).
Assistant United States Attorney Susan Kas led negotiations on behalf of the government as Civil Rights Coordinator in its Civil Division.
Copies of this settlement agreement are available upon request.
