TAMPA — A pain management clinic with offices in Tampa and Brandon will pay $115,000 to settle federal allegations that it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to let a disabled military veteran bring his service animal to a medical appointment, U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced.
The veteran uses a service animal trained to provide non-violent protection, rescue work, and assistance during seizures and episodes of post-traumatic stress disorder. APC Inc. denied the veteran entry to its Brandon office for a post-hospitalization appointment, claiming a “no pets policy” and calling the office a “sterile environment.” The denial triggered a PTSD episode, followed by repeated seizures during the car ride home and over the following days, and forced the veteran to abruptly discontinue medication an APC physician had prescribed him while hospitalized.
“Service animals are not pets-they provide critical assistance for individuals with disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Kehoe. “Many of our nation’s military veterans use service animals to assist them with service-connected disabilities. Our office does not tolerate discrimination against individuals with disabilities who use service animals and will ensure they receive equal access to healthcare.”
Under the settlement, APC must pay $100,000 to compensate the veteran and his wife and a $15,000 civil penalty to the United States. The clinic must adopt and conspicuously post a service animal policy and a non-discrimination policy in its reception areas and on its website, provide ADA training to all personnel, and display a “Service Animals Welcome” sign at every public entrance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra N. Karahalios handled the case.
Title III of the ADA prohibits public accommodations, including health care providers, from discriminating against individuals on the basis of disability. The law requires businesses to make reasonable modifications in policies and practices to accommodate individuals with service animals.
For the next two years, APC must report any disability discrimination complaints it receives to the United States. Individuals who believe they have experienced similar discrimination may contact the Civil Rights Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida at (813) 274-6095.