No. 20-219October Term 2020Decided Apr 28, 2022Updated May 24, 2026
Cummings v. Premier Rehab Keller
This case asked whether a patient who was denied an American Sign Language interpreter by a federally funded physical therapy provider could recover money for emotional harm under the Rehabilitation Act and the Affordable Care Act.
Case status
Decided 6-3 · April 28, 2022 · Opinion by Chief Justice Roberts
Read the opinion (PDF)- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Apr 28, 2022
- What it's about
This case asked whether a patient who was denied an American Sign Language interpreter by a federally funded physical therapy provider could recover money for emotional harm under the Rehabilitation Act and the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court held that emotional distress damages are not available in private suits enforcing those statutes.
Question presented
Whether the compensatory damages available under Title VI and the statutes that incorporate its remedies include compensation for emotional distress.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit / Decision released Apr 28, 2022
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided April 28, 2022
The Court released its decision on April 28, 2022 without hearing oral argument.
Documents
Activity
Docket activity3
Brief added: Questions Presented
May 24, 2026 | Court records
Opinion added: opinion
Apr 28, 2022 | Court records
Brief added: Petition
Aug 21, 2020 | Court records
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 25, 2026
- Method
- Methodology