Green Bay home care agency to pay $10,000 in damages to HIV-positive patient who was denied service

GREEN BAY - Helping Hands, a Green Bay-based home care assistance agency, has agreed to pay $10,000 in compensatory damages after its caregivers were accused of refusing to provide care to a patient with HIV. 

The settlement came Wednesday after the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin sued the organization on the basis of discrimination under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which focuses on discriminatory practices within public accommodations and commercial facilities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura Flaherty represented the federal Department of Justice in this case. 

Multiple caregivers from Helping Hands refused to provide services to an HIV-positive patient, according to federal prosecutors. The organization subsequently terminated its relationship with the patient. 

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office prioritizes the protection of the civil rights of all individuals,” the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release Wednesday. “As this settlement demonstrates, our office is committed to using all available tools to enforce the ADA and prevent discrimination.”

The patient will receive $10,000 in damages, but the path forward will also mean a restructuring of policies.

Under the agreement, Helping Hands will adopt a nondiscrimination policy, train the staff and require the organization to provide written notification to the Department of Justice for future complaints. 

Linda Bova, chief operating officer at Helping Hands, wasn't available for an inter. 

This is a developing story.

Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for USA TODAY NETWORK-Central Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her Twitter profile at @natalie_eilbert. If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text "Hopeline" to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741.