Deaf man settles lawsuit with St. Paul police

The St. Paul Police Department will take additional steps to accommodate people with hearing problems under the terms of a new legal settlement that goes before the city council this week.

Douglas Bahl, who is deaf, sued St. Paul because police failed to provide him with a sign language interpreter following a 2006 arrest.

Last year, a federal appeals court found one of his claims could have merit. The case was sent back to a lower court for further consideration.

Citing the "uncertainties and costs associated with continued litigation," the City Attorney's office now recommends St. Paul settle with Bahl for more than $90,000 dollars. The settlement also requires the police department train all staff about the rights and needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing people they encounter. The city denies any wrongdoing.

Ramsey County settled a related lawsuit from Bahl in 2011 for $230,000. It agreed to provide more assistance to deaf people in its Adult Detention Facility.