STRATEGIES FOR AVOIDING AND DEFENDING DISABILITY ACCESS LITIGATION

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "STRATEGIES FOR AVOIDING AND DEFENDING DISABILITY ACCESS LITIGATION"

Edward Francis
8 years ago
Views:

1 STRATEGIES FOR AVOIDING AND DEFENDING DISABILITY ACCESS LITIGATION DISABLED ACCESSIBILITY WORKSHOP Anthony J. DeCristoforo, Esq. Stoel Rives LLP 500 Capitol Mall, Suite 1600 Sacramento, CA (916)

2 STATUTORY BASIS FOR DISABILITY ACCESS LITIGATION Federal Law Americans With Disabilities Act State Law Unruh Civil Rights Act Disabled Persons Act 2

3 ADA Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation Title III prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation. 42 U.S.C (a). 3

privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person

4 ADA Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation Plaintiff s burden is to prove: He/she has a disability Defendant s business is a place of public accommodation He/she was denied full and equal treatment because of his/her disability 4

Defendant s business is a place of public accommodation

5 Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation ADA If the claim is based on an architectural barrier, plaintiff must also prove: The existing facility at defendant s place of business presents an architectural barrier prohibited under the ADA The removal of the barrier is readily achievable 5

existing facility at defendant s place of business presents an

6 Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation Unruh Civil Rights Act All persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter what their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, or medical condition are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever. Cal. Civil Code 51(b). 6

origin, disability, or medical condition are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages,

7 Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation A violation of the right of any individual under the ADA constitutes a violation of the Unruh Act. 7

8 Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation California Disabled Persons Act Individual with disabilities shall be entitled to full and equal access, as other members of the general public, to accommodations, places of accommodation, amusement, or resort, and other places to which the general public is invited... Cal. Civil Code 54(a)(1). 8

members of the general public, to accommodations, places of accommodation, amusement,

9 Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation California Disabled Persons Act A violation of the ADA also constitutes a violation of the DPA. 9

10 Statutory Basis For Disability Access Litigation Plaintiff does not need to show an intent to discriminate in order to prove a violation of the ADA, Unruh Act, or DPA 10

11 Remedies ADA Injunctive relief only Damages are not recoverable Discretionary attorneys fees 11

12 Remedies Unruh Act DPA Damages in the amount of three times the amount of actual damages, but in no case less than $4,000, for each and every offense Damages in the amount of three times the amount of actual damages, but in no case less than $1,000, for each offense Plaintiff may not recover under both the Unruh Act and the DPA 12

13 Defenses Best defense: Full compliance Structures built before 1992 are existing facilities under the ADA, and need only remove barriers to access that are readily achievable Modification would create undue burden or expense Prove the plaintiff did not attempt to access the premises and has no real intention of returning 13

readily achievable Modification would create undue burden or expense Prove the

14 Common Misunderstandings About Defenses My building is old, so it is not subject to the ADA - All public accommodations are subject to remove barriers that are readily achievable 14

15 Common Misunderstandings About Defenses (Cont d) ADA compliance is the responsibility of my landlord (or tenant) - While that may be true under the terms of the lease, both the landlord and tenant are potentially liable for ADA violations 15

- While that may be true under the terms of the lease, both

16 Common Misunderstandings About Defenses (Cont d) I had a permit that allowed the building to be constructed in this manner - Even if the design and construction were approved, it doesn t provide a defense if the building isn t in compliance with the ADA 16

Even if the design and construction were approved, it doesn t

17 Common Misunderstandings About Defenses (Cont d) I can t afford to fix the areas that aren t in compliance - Many requirements are relatively inexpensive to fix (signage, door handles, mat anchoring) 17

18 Common Misunderstandings About Defenses (Cont d) My facility (or parts of my facility) aren t really open to the public - If a single member of the public is allowed access to the facility, a plaintiff can argue it s a public accommodation 18

If a single member of the public is allowed access to the

19 What to Expect Warning letter - Intended to trigger attorneys fees award - Specific barriers usually not identified - May appear to be a solicitation or advertisement - May not be sent to both landlord and tenant - Probably the result of a drive-by 19

appear to be a solicitation or advertisement - May not be sent

20 What to Expect Filing of lawsuit - Probably won t be served right away - You may learn about lawsuit when you receive a solicitation letter from a defense lawyer 20

21 What to Do Consider tendering to insurance carrier Determine if allegations have merit Decide how to respond - Quick settlement? - Hire a lawyer? 21

22 Settlement Issues Typical settlement range Confidentiality May have to bring facility into compliance as condition of settlement Release applies only to the plaintiff who sued you 22

23 Avoiding a Lawsuit Full compliance is best defense Do not ignore warning letter Exterior modifications Least expensive modifications Notify plaintiff of modifications 23

24 Thank you for your attention! Anthony J. DeCristoforo, Esq. Stoel Rives LLP 500 Capitol Mall, Suite 1600 Sacramento, CA (916)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) I. SUMMARY

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) I. SUMMARY Case :-cv-0-ljo-dlb Document Filed 0// Page of Tanya Moore, Esq. SBN MOORE LAW FIRM, P.C. N. Second Street San Jose, CA Telephone (0-00 Facsimile (0-0 Attorneys for Plaintiff Ronald Moore RONALD MOORE,