Philadelphia settles AIDS suit

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The city of Philadelphia has agreed to train its paramedics in the appropriate treatment of people with infectious diseases, especially those with AIDS.

Under an agreement with the U.S. Justice Dept. announced Monday, the city will also pay $50,000 to John Gill Smith.

Smith filed suit against the city under the Americans With Disabilities Act after a 2001 incident when he called an ambulance because of severe chest pains. When he told the paramedics he had AIDS, one left the house and the other refused to help him into the ambulance, forcing his partner to do it, the Philadelphia Inquirer said.

The Justice Department intervened in the suit in 2004.

Under the settlement, the city agreed to provide training twice a year on non-discriminatory treatment of people with AIDS. City officials agreed to document the training to the court for three years.