Settlement Agreement Reached to Resolve Discrimination Against Disabled Veteran with Service Animal

ATLANTA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Georgia, Northern), published as received.

ATLANTA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia has entered into a settlement agreement with OptumServe Health Services, Inc. (“OptumServe”), a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, to resolve allegations that OptumServe discriminated against a disabled veteran in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

“Service animals are not pets and are often prescribed to assist veterans diagnosed with particular service-related disabilities,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Our office is committed to ensuring veterans have access to medical care that is free of discrimination or other barriers that impede them from equal access to healthcare services.”

OptumServe provides medical services to veterans with disabilities across the country.  The agency refused to see the veteran in this matter at the time of a scheduled appointment because he was accompanied by a service animal. The veteran’s service animal is required for a service-related disability. As a result, the veteran left the office without receiving any medical care.

Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, and privileges of any place of public accommodation. OptumServe is a private entity that operates healthcare facilities that are places of “public accommodation” within the meaning of Title III of the ADA.  

Under the terms of the agreement, OptumServe will make changes to its policies and procedures and provide additional training to its staff to ensure compliance with the requirements of the ADA and that proper care is provided to its patients. Additionally, OptumServe will pay the veteran $85,000 in compensatory damages.

This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Fallica and Senior Civil Investigator Tamara Jones.

Complaints regarding discrimination or civil rights violations can be submitted directly to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia at USAGAN.CivilRights@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-4626.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Settlement Agreement: