Settlement Agreement between the United States of America and Woodlawn Family Dentistry Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2013)

This settlement agreement constitutes the resolution of a complaint filed by the United States Department of Justice, according to which Woodlawn Family Dentistry (Woodlawn) required that an individual with HIV schedule all of his appointments for the last appointment slot of the day because of his HIV status. The settlement agreement states that an individual with HIV has a physical impairment substantially limiting one or more major life activities, and therefore has a disability within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the terms of the agreement, Woodlawn may not discriminate against any individual on the basis of disability, including HIV. Woodlawn is further required to take several corrective steps, including drafting and posting a non-discrimination policy, providing training on the ADA to employees, and revising training manuals and written materials regarding the company’s policies and practices. Finally, Woodlawn must pay $7,000 compensatory damages to the aggrieved individual, as well as a $3,000 civil penalty.