Case: United States v. Flint Neurological Centre P.C.

2:22-cv-10568 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: March 17, 2022

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On March 17, 2022, the United States of America Department of Justice (“DOJ”) sued Flint Neurological Centre (“Flint Neuro”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The DOJ alleged that Flint Neuro violated the American with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) by repeatedly failing to provide American Sign Language interpreters or other appropriate auxiliary aids or services necessary for effective communication with new and existing patients who were deaf or hard of hear…

On March 17, 2022, the United States of America Department of Justice (“DOJ”) sued Flint Neurological Centre (“Flint Neuro”) in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The DOJ alleged that Flint Neuro violated the American with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) by repeatedly failing to provide American Sign Language interpreters or other appropriate auxiliary aids or services necessary for effective communication with new and existing patients who were deaf or hard of hearing despite multiple requests from the patients, their families, and caregivers. The DOJ sought a declaratory judgment, monetary damages for the private individuals who were harmed, and a civil penalty against Flint Neuro. The case was assigned to District Judge Victoria A. Roberts.

On June 20, 2023, Judge Roberts entered a consent decree. Flint Neuro had to pay the affected individuals a total of $150,000, as well as a civil penalty of $10,000. Flint Neuro also had to abide by a non-discriminatory policy, provide any appropriate auxiliary aids and services necessary for effective communication, and use qualified interpreters when appropriate.

This case is closed as of June 20, 2023.

Summary Authors

Danica Fong (4/11/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63166072/parties/united-states-v-flint-neurological-centre-pc/


Judge(s)

Roberts, Victoria A. (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Ackenhausen, Shannon M. (Michigan)

El-Zein, Michael (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Elder, Azzam E. (Michigan)

Taweel, Nineveh Korkis (Michigan)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:22-cv-10568

Plaintiff's Complaint

March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022

Complaint
20

2:22-cv-10568

Consent Decree

June 20, 2023

June 20, 2023

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63166072/united-states-v-flint-neurological-centre-pc/

Last updated Oct. 25, 2025, 5:26 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed by United States of America against Flint Neurological Centre P.C. with Jury Demand. No summons requested. No Fee Required - US Government. County of 1st Plaintiff: Wayne - County Where Action Arose: Genesee - County of 1st Defendant: Genesee. [Previously dismissed case: No] [Possible companion case(s): None] (Ackenhausen, Shannon) (Entered: 03/17/2022)

March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022

Clearinghouse

A United States Magistrate Judge of this Court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 636c and FRCP 73. The Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge form is available for download at http://www.mied.uscourts.gov (TTho)

March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022

Notice to Parties of Consent of a Civil Action before a Magistrate Judge Option

March 17, 2022

March 17, 2022

2

AMENDED COMPLAINT with Jury Demand First Amended Complaint filed by United States of America against Flint Neurological Centre P.C., Nael Tarakji. NEW PARTIES ADDED. (El-Zein, Michael) (Entered: 04/05/2022)

April 5, 2022

April 5, 2022

PACER
3

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Flint Neurological Centre P.C. waiver sent on 4/5/2022, answer due 6/6/2022. (Ackenhausen, Shannon) (Entered: 04/22/2022)

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

PACER
4

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Nael Tarakji waiver sent on 4/5/2022, answer due 6/6/2022. (Ackenhausen, Shannon) (Entered: 04/22/2022)

April 22, 2022

April 22, 2022

PACER
5

ANSWER to Amended Complaint with Affirmative Defenses with Jury Demand by All Defendants. (Taweel, Nineveh) (Entered: 06/01/2022)

June 1, 2022

June 1, 2022

PACER
6

STATEMENT of DISCLOSURE of CORPORATE AFFILIATIONS and FINANCIAL INTEREST by Flint Neurological Centre P.C. (Taweel, Nineveh) (Entered: 06/01/2022)

June 1, 2022

June 1, 2022

PACER
7

NOTICE TO APPEAR BY VIDEO CONFERENCE: Scheduling Conference set for 8/9/2022 at 10:00 AM before District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. (see image for details and dates) Attorneys will receive Zoom connection information prior to the conference. (LVer) (Entered: 06/23/2022)

June 23, 2022

June 23, 2022

PACER
8

DISCOVERY plan jointly filed pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26(f) (El-Zein, Michael) (Entered: 07/26/2022)

July 26, 2022

July 26, 2022

PACER
9

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Azzam E. Elder appearing on behalf of All Defendants (Elder, Azzam) (Entered: 08/08/2022)

Aug. 8, 2022

Aug. 8, 2022

PACER

Minute Entry for virtual proceedings before District Judge Victoria A. Roberts: Scheduling Conference held on 8/9/2022. (Court Reporter: None Present, Not on the Record) (LVer)

Aug. 9, 2022

Aug. 9, 2022

Minute Entry for virtual proceedings before District Judge Victoria A. Roberts: Scheduling Conference held on 8/9/2022. (Court Reporter: Sheila Rice) (LVer)

Aug. 9, 2022

Aug. 9, 2022

10

SCHEDULING ORDER PHASE I: Discovery due by 3/31/2023, Settlement Conference set for 4/18/2023 at 2:00 PM before District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. Signed by District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. (Refer to image for additional dates) (LVer) (Entered: 08/13/2022)

Aug. 13, 2022

Aug. 13, 2022

PACER
11

Stipulated Rule 502(d) Order. Signed by District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. (LVer) (Entered: 10/07/2022)

Oct. 7, 2022

Oct. 7, 2022

PACER
12

Stipulated Protective Order Regarding Disclosure of Records Subject to the Privacy Act and 45 C.F.R. § 164.512(e). Signed by District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. (LVer) (Entered: 10/07/2022)

Oct. 7, 2022

Oct. 7, 2022

PACER
14

Appearance

Feb. 14, 2023

Feb. 14, 2023

PACER
15

Stipulation and Order

Feb. 23, 2023

Feb. 23, 2023

PACER
17

~Util - Set Scheduling Order Deadlines AND Stipulation and Order

Feb. 28, 2023

Feb. 28, 2023

PACER
18

Stipulation and Order

April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023

PACER
19

Stipulation and Order

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

PACER
20

Judgment - Consent

June 20, 2023

June 20, 2023

PACER
21

Motion - Free

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

PACER

Text-Only Reassignment

April 10, 2025

April 10, 2025

22

Response to Motion

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025

PACER
23

Reply to Response to Motion

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory:

Michigan

Case Type(s):

Healthcare Access and Reproductive Issues

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 17, 2022

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Flint Neurological Centre, Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Hospital/Health Department

Facility Type(s):

Non-government for-profit

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Michigan 2:22-cv-10568

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Litigation

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Reasonable Accommodation

Discrimination Prohibition

Provide antidiscrimination training

Training

Amount Defendant Pays: $160,000

Issues

General/Misc.:

Pattern or Practice

Disability and Disability Rights:

Effective Communication (ADA)

Hearing impairment

Integrated setting

P&A access authority

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Modifications

Discrimination Basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)