Case: Hawaii Disability Rights Center v. Cheung

1:05-cv-00557 | U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii

Filed Date: Aug. 25, 2005

Closed Date: June 2, 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about a protection and advocacy (P&A) agency’s access authority. On August 25, 2005, Hawaii Disability Rights Center (Hawaii DRC), Hawaii’s P&A, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii against Susanna Cheung in her official capacity as President of an organization operating an Intermediate Care Facility. Hawaii DRC alleged that Cheung violated the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) when they denied the P&A access…

This is a case about a protection and advocacy (P&A) agency’s access authority. On August 25, 2005, Hawaii Disability Rights Center (Hawaii DRC), Hawaii’s P&A, filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii against Susanna Cheung in her official capacity as President of an organization operating an Intermediate Care Facility. Hawaii DRC alleged that Cheung violated the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) when they denied the P&A access to its facility, the facility’s residents, and related records. Hawaii DRC sought injunctive and declaratory relief that Cheung violated the DD Act and must allow Hawaii DRC to access their facility, facility residents, and relevant records. Judge David Alan Ezra presided over this matter.

This lawsuit began after Hawaii DRC established probable cause from a CMS periodic inspection report that the defendant’s facility may have subjected individuals to abuse or neglect. When Hawaii DRC travelled to the facility to meet with individuals and review records, defendants stopped them from leaving the reception room and were not allowed to enter the facility. Defendants did not provide a written explanation for their denial. On June 2, 2006, the parties reached a settlement, and the case was dismissed. The case remains closed.

Summary Authors

NDRN (7/9/2023)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12179279/hawaii-disability-ri-v-cheung/

Last updated Dec. 16, 2024, 4:45 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory:

Hawaii

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 25, 2005

Closing Date: June 2, 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

protection and advocacy organization

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Opportunities for the Retarded Inc, Non-profit or advocacy

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 15001 et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of Hawaii 1:05-cv-00557

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Mental impairment

P&A access authority

P&A Associational Standing