The Woodlands Retina Center Settles Federal Lawsuit

HOUSTON, TX — The Woodlands Retina Center will be restructuring its policy to allow patients with service animals in their clinic after they were sued in federal court for violations of the American Disabilities Act.

The United States Attorney’s Office launched an investigation after receiving a complaint alleging The Woodlands Retina Center discriminated against people with disabilities and denied equal access to medical services to people with disabilities who use service animals.

Dr. Wael Abdelghani owns The Woodlands Retina Center, which is a professional office and a place of public accommodation under the ADA.

The individual alleged The Woodlands Retina Center told him they had a “no dog policy” and refused to treat him because a service animal accompanied him during an eye appointment.

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Under the ADA, persons with disabilities who are accompanied by their service animals shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations equal to that afforded to other individuals.

The government is authorized to commence a civil action when it is believed discrimination exists, seeking damages and full compliance with the ADA including requiring the owners and operators of places of public accommodations to make reasonable modifications to policies, practices and procedures.

“This settlement resolves an allegation of discrimination based on disability,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. “The announcement today should make clear that our medical professionals must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities and that every member of our society is entitled to equal access to medical services.”

The settlement agreement requires The Woodlands Retina Center to adopt a service animal policy that will ensure it accepts and treats disabled patients accompanied by service animals, and requires that the center pay compensatory damages to the patient.

The settlement agreement also provides that the U.S. Attorney’s Office monitors the center to ensure it is meeting its obligations under the ADA.

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