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 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)

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)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

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

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Docket

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

Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 4:30 a.m.

Docket for: United States v. Flint Neurological Centre P.C.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	March 17, 2022	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)	Clearinghouse
	March 17, 2022	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	Notice to Parties of Consent of a Civil Action before a Magistrate Judge Option
2	April 5, 2022	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)	RECAP
3	April 22, 2022	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)	RECAP
4	April 22, 2022	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Nael Tarakji waiver sent on 4/5/2022, answer due 6/6/2022. (Ackenhausen, Shannon) (Entered: 04/22/2022)	RECAP
5	June 1, 2022	ANSWER to Amended Complaint with Affirmative Defenses with Jury Demand by All Defendants. (Taweel, Nineveh) (Entered: 06/01/2022)	RECAP
6	June 1, 2022	STATEMENT of DISCLOSURE of CORPORATE AFFILIATIONS and FINANCIAL INTEREST by Flint Neurological Centre P.C. (Taweel, Nineveh) (Entered: 06/01/2022)	RECAP
7	June 23, 2022	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)	RECAP
8	July 26, 2022	DISCOVERY plan jointly filed pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26(f) (El-Zein, Michael) (Entered: 07/26/2022)	RECAP
9	Aug. 8, 2022	ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Azzam E. Elder appearing on behalf of All Defendants (Elder, Azzam) (Entered: 08/08/2022)	RECAP
	Aug. 9, 2022	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	Minute Entry for virtual proceedings before District Judge Victoria A. Roberts: Scheduling Conference held on 8/9/2022. (Court Reporter: Sheila Rice) (LVer)
10	Aug. 13, 2022	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)	RECAP
11	Oct. 7, 2022	Stipulated Rule 502(d) Order. Signed by District Judge Victoria A. Roberts. (LVer) (Entered: 10/07/2022)	RECAP
12	Oct. 7, 2022	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)	RECAP
14	Feb. 14, 2023	Appearance	RECAP
15	Feb. 23, 2023	Stipulation and Order	RECAP
17	Feb. 28, 2023	~Util - Set Scheduling Order Deadlines AND Stipulation and Order	RECAP
18	April 25, 2023	Stipulation and Order	RECAP
19	June 1, 2023	Stipulation and Order	RECAP
20	June 20, 2023	Judgment - Consent	RECAP
21	April 9, 2025	Motion - Free	RECAP
	April 10, 2025	Text-Only Reassignment
22	April 16, 2025	Response to Motion	RECAP
23	April 23, 2025	Reply to Response to Motion	RECAP
24	Nov. 17, 2025	ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF'S 21 MOTION TO DISTRIBUTE SETTLEMENT FUNDS AND EXTEND CONSENT DECREE PERIOD Signed by District Judge Linda V. Parker. (AFla)	RECAP

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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

Private Entity/Person

Flint Neurological Centre

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:

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reasonable Accommodation

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)

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of United States v. Flint Neurological Centre P.C., Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/45789/ (last updated 4/11/2025).