Woods Services, Inc. Files Defamation Suit Against Disability Rights New York
LANGHORNE, Pa., Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Woods Services, Inc., a leading advocacy and service organization for people with exceptional challenges, disabilities and complex needs, filed a complaint today in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia alleging defamation and related wrongdoing by Disability Rights New York (DRNY) of Albany, New York. Woods sets out in its complaint that a report widely published by DRNY in late October 2017 is rife with unfounded accusations, misleading characterizations and outright falsehoods. Further, Woods explains in its complaint that the vast majority of the "immediate actions" DRNY proposed that Woods undertake were already in place as of the date of the report. The complaint refutes in detail the allegations made in the DRNY report and demonstrates that DRNY's false and misleading accusations have caused substantial and continuing reputational and economic harm to Woods.
Woods seeks relief declaring that DRNY's report is false and defamatory, requiring a retraction and apology from DRNY, requiring that future inspections of Woods by DRNY be approved by a neutral third party and granting compensatory and punitive damages to Woods. Woods is represented in the litigation by Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller in Philadelphia.
The allegations in the DRNY report stand in stark contrast to the more than 60 inspections conducted each year at Woods by numerous oversight agencies. These inspections consistently find that Woods meets or exceeds all requirements for continued licensure, referrals and funding.
Woods has not taken this action lightly but felt compelled on behalf of its 630 individual residents, their families and its 1,900 employees to set the record straight. Woods rejects the DRNY report. It has zero tolerance for any neglect or abuse of the people it serves. The safety and security of its residents and the employees who care for them has always been and remains its top priority. Woods is a provider of choice, particularly for those families, state agencies and funders that turn to Woods when all other options have been exhausted and individuals have not been safely supported or cared for elsewhere.
About Woods Services
Woods Services is passionate about making positive changes in the lives of the individuals it serves. Woods' mission is to support children and adults with disabilities or challenges to achieve their highest potential and independence through innovative and individualized approaches that promote learning and personal fulfillment. Woods and its four affiliates provide critical services to more than 4,000 children and adults in the intellectual and developmental disability, child welfare, behavioral and brain trauma public health sectors who have complex and intensive medical and behavioral healthcare needs. Woods is located in Langhorne, Pa. For more information, visit Woods' website at www.woods.org.
SOURCE Woods Services, Inc.
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