JON S. TIGAR, District Judge.
In this action for discrimination on the ground of disability in violation of the Unruh Act, the California Disabled Persons Act ("CDPA"), and the Americans with Disabilities Act, both parties move for summary judgment with respect to Plaintiff Lemmons' claims under the Unruh Act and the CDPA. For the reasons set forth below, both motions are GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.
Plaintiff Portia Lemmons brings this action against Defendants Ace Hardware Corporation ("Ace"), Berkeley Hardware, Inc., and EQR-Acheson Commons Limited Partnership ("EQR") for claims arising out of Defendants' purported denial of access to disabled persons at the Berkeley Ace Hardware store in Berkeley, California ("the store"). Compl., ECF No. 1. Ace and Berkeley Hardware have a franchising agreement that permits Berkeley Hardware to operate the store while using the "Ace" name. EQR owns the building in which the store is located and leases it to Berkeley Hardware. Lemmons alleges that she visited the store multiple times over the last several years, and that each time, she encountered physical barriers that prevented her from shopping at the store without assistance, which caused her to suffer difficulty, discomfort, and embarrassment.
Lemmons has asserted three claims against Defendants in the operative complaint in connection with Defendants' failure to remove the barriers: (1) a claim for "denial of full and equal access to public facilities in a public accommodation" under the California Disabled Persons Act ("CDPA"), California Civil Code section 54; (2) a claim for discrimination in violation of the Unruh Act, California Civil Code section 51; and (3) a claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Portia Lemmons has lived with cerebral palsy since birth. Cabalo Decl., Ex. 1 at 7:22-8:11; Lemmons Dec. ¶ 1. She is unable to walk or perform daily living activities without assistance, such as maintaining personal hygiene, grooming, and dressing.
The building that houses Berkeley Ace Hardware was constructed in 1915 and has a main floor, a basement, and a mezzanine. There are stairways to the basement and mezzanine. The building has a service elevator that is not designated for public use. Carpenter Decl. ¶ 2.
Since June 30, 2001, the lease for the building has been subject to termination on 30 days' notice. For that reason, Berkeley Hardware has not made any physical changes to store since 2004 other than minor changes to the width of the aisles based on the shelving of merchandise.
Berkeley Hardware admits that it has operated the store as a public accommodation within the meaning ADA at all relevant times. Berkeley Hardware's Resp. to RFAs Nos. 14, 15, 19. EQR admits that it has owned the building in which the store is located at all relevant times. EQR's Resp. to RFAs Nos. 14-16, 18. EQR acquired the building in September 2010 as part of a large development project to create new mixed use space. Cabalo Decl., Ex. 6, Solar Dep. at 28:22-24; Cabalo Dec., Ex. 7, EQR's Interrog. Resp. No. 21. The project was approved in December 2012 but subjected to appeals that concluded in June 2013. Exhibit Solar at 39:16-19. The demolition of the building is scheduled for January 2015 with construction to be completed 24 months later. EQR is working through the construction drawings and the permit process. Exhibit Solar at 40:4-15.
Berkeley Hardware operates as an Ace member store pursuant to the "ACE Membership Agreement," which permits Berkeley Hardware to use the "Ace" name, utilize Ace's customer database and credit card system, sell "Ace"-branded products, utilize training sponsored by Ace, and benefit from Ace marketing, among other things. Cabalo Decl., Ex. 5, Carpenter Dep. at 123:1-139:18; Opp'n Cabalo Decl., Ex. 1, 3-5 & Attachment A. Further, the agreement requires Berkeley Hardware to comply with all federal and state laws and to provide certain training to its employees. Opp'n Cabalo Decl., Ex. 1 at 32:16-37:19 & Ex. 1, 3. Ace has the contractual right to terminate the agreement if Berkeley Hardware fails to comply with these requirements.
Berkeley Hardware manages the store exclusively. Neither Ace nor EQR have a role in the management of the store or its configuration. Carpenter Decl. ¶ 7.
The building underwent a $75,000 earthquake retrofit in 1997, which required extensive construction work. Cabalo Decl., Ex. 8, Bill Carpenter Dep. at 48:18-53:2; Cabalo Decl., Ex. 9, Moore Dep. at 57:3-11; Cabalo Dec., Ex. 6 Solar Dep. at 49:22-50:8; Margen Decl. ¶¶ 5, 8, 9 & Ex. 3 at 00001, 00002, 00013. This work included reconstruction of sections of the foundation; changes to the footings of the building; installation of rebar into parts of the basement floor and walls; and wall framing.
Lemmons has visited the store many times in the last several years. She visited it on 13 occasions over the last two years. During each of those visits ("the visits at issue"), she encountered barriers that prevented her from having full access to the store. The following is a list of the visits at issue:
On these occasions, Lemmons claims to have suffered embarrassment and difficulty due the lack of accessible parking, an inaccessible entrance to the store, narrow store aisles, merchandise in the aisles, and inaccessible paths of travel within the store. Lemmons Decl. ¶¶ 8, 26; Margen Decl. at ¶¶ 5-7 & Ex. 4, Item Nos. 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 2.3, 2.4, 2.9. Defendants do not dispute that these physical conditions constituted barriers under the ADA.
Berkeley Hardware and EQR admit that Lemmons' access consultant, Peter Margen, accurately measured the physical conditions at the store for each of the visits at issue. Cabalo Decl., Ex. 4, EQR's Resp. to RFAs Nos. 1, 2; Cabalo Decl., Ex. 2, Berkeley Hardware's Resp. to RFAs Nos. 1, 2. Margen concluded that the building has at least 32 access barriers. Margen Decl., Ex. 4.
Lemmons has never written a letter or spoken with anyone at Berkeley Hardware or EQR to complain about the treatment she received at the store. ECF No. 64, Exhibit A at 129:15-25. Lemmons admits that there are other stores near her apartment where she could purchase the items that she bought at the store during the visits at issue.
Several of Berkeley Hardware's employees testified that they have assisted disabled customers, including Lemmons. Some of these employees ask customers to wait at the front of the store when they are going downstairs to retrieve items. ECF No. 64, Exhibit B 29:24-30:3.
Some employees have assisted several wheelchair-bound customers in using the elevator. ECF No. 64, Exhibit C at 31:20-22; Exhibit D, 17:18-22.
Lemmons, Berkeley Hardware, and Ace entered into a court-enforceable settlement agreement on July 12, 2013, pursuant to which Berkeley Hardware and Ace agreed to perform some corrective work in the store and to make certain changes to their policies governing employee training. ECF No. 57. EQR joined the settlement on July 20, 2013. Cabalo Decl. ¶ 3. The parties did not reach an agreement as to damages, attorney's fees, or costs.
The Court has jurisdiction over this action under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1367.
Summary judgment is proper when a "movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). "A party asserting that a fact cannot be or is genuinely disputed must support the assertion by" citing to depositions, documents, affidavits, or other materials. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A). A party also may show that such materials "do not establish the absence or presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse party cannot produce admissible evidence to support the fact." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(B). An issue is "genuine" only if there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable fact-finder to find for the non-moving party.
Where the party moving for summary judgment would bear the burden of proof at trial, that party bears the initial burden of producing evidence that would entitle it to a directed verdict if uncontroverted at trial.
The non-moving party must "identify with reasonable particularity the evidence that precludes summary judgment."
Lemmons moves for summary judgment on her claims under the Unruh Act and the CDPA and seeks statutory minimum damages under the Unruh Act of $4,000 for each of the 13 visits at issue. Lemmons' Unruh and CDPA claims are predicated on violations of Title III of the ADA.
Defendants oppose the motion, arguing that a genuine issue of material fact exists with respect to whether Lemmons suffered discrimination in violation of the ADA and whether she suffered difficulty, discomfort, or embarrassment under the Unruh Act. Additionally, Defendants move for summary judgment on two of their affirmative defenses, arguing that, even if Lemmons establishes her Unruh Act claim, that claim fails in light of the applicable statute of limitations and the avoidable consequences doctrine. Finally, Defendants move for summary judgment as to Lemmons' claims against Ace on the ground that Ace is not an owner, lessee, or operator of the store within the meaning of the ADA.
As will be discussed below, the Court concludes that Lemmons is entitled to summary judgment on her claim under the Unruh Act with respect to Berkeley Hardware and EQR, and that Ace is entitled to summary judgment with respect to the claims Lemmons has asserted against it. Accordingly, both motions will be GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.
The Unruh Civil Rights Act provides that "[a]ll persons . . . are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever." Cal. Civ. Code § 51(b). The purpose of the Unruh Act "is to compel a recognition of the equality of citizens in the right to the peculiar service offered" by the entities covered by the Act.
To recover damages for a construction-related accessibility claim under the Unruh Act, a plaintiff must show (1) "intentional discrimination in public accommodations in violation of the terms of the Act,"
A plaintiff can establish the first element of an Unruh Act claim by establishing a violation of the ADA.
The ADA was enacted "to provide clear, strong, consistent, enforceable standards addressing discrimination against individuals with disabilities." 42 U.S.C. § 12101(b)(2). Its passage was premised on the congressional finding that discrimination against the disabled is "most often the product, not of invidious animus, but rather of thoughtlessness and indifference," of "benign neglect," and of "apathetic attitudes rather than affirmative animus."
Under the ADA,
42 U.S.C. 12182(a).
"To prevail on a discrimination claim under Title III, a plaintiff must show that: (1) he is disabled within the meaning of the ADA; (2) the defendant is a private entity that owns, leases, or operates a place of public accommodation; and (3) the plaintiff was denied public accommodations by the defendant because of his disability."
As will be discussed below, Lemmons has pointed to sufficient evidence to establish each of these three elements as to Berkeley Hardware and EQR. Because Defendants fail to point to evidence that raises a genuine issue of material fact with respect to any of these elements as they pertain to Berkeley Hardware and EQR, Lemmons' motion for summary judgment must be GRANTED as to Berkeley Hardware and EQR.
On the other hand, Defendants have shown that Ace cannot be held liable for violations of the ADA at the store. Because Lemmons has failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact with respect to this claim, Defendants' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to Ace.
Under the ADA, as well as California law, a person is disabled when that person has a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2); Cal. Gov't Code § 12961.
Here, Lemmons has established, and Defendants do not dispute, that Lemmons is disabled within the meaning of the ADA. Lemmons has had cerebral palsy since birth, uses a wheelchair for mobility, and has a speech impediment. Cabalo Decl., Ex.1, Lemmons Dep. at 7:22-8:11; Lemmons Decl. ¶ 1; Cabalo Decl., Ex. 2, Berkeley Resp. to RFAs, Nos. 4-9; Cabalo Decl., Ex. 3, Ace Resp. to RFAs, Nos. 4-9; Cabalo Decl., Ex. 4, EQR Resp. to RFAs Nos. 4-9.
Under the ADA, a "public accommodation" includes a hardware store. 42 U.S.C. § 12181(7)(E) (providing that "public accommodation" includes a "hardware store").
Here, Defendants have admitted that the store falls within the definition of a "public accommodation" under the ADA.
Ace and EQR, however, contend that they do not own, lease, or operate the store and thus cannot be liable under the ADA. The Court addresses the arguments of each of these defendants in turn.
Defendants move for summary judgment on the question of whether Ace can be held liable for violations of the ADA as an "operator." Defendants acknowledge that there is a contract between Ace and Berkeley Hardware called the "Ace Hardware Membership Agreement" pursuant to which Ace is a franchisor and Berkeley Hardware is a franchisee. Defendants contend that this licensing agreement gives Ace control over physical aspects of the store only in so far as such aspects are related to the use of its trademark and trade dress, but that it does not give Ace any authority over "accessibility issues." Defendants contend that, without this authority, Ace cannot be held liable for ADA violations by virtue of being a franchisor.
Lemmons opposes the motion, arguing that Ace is an "operator" within the meaning of the ADA because it is in a position to ensure that Berkeley Hardware complies with disability access laws. Lemmons also contends that Ace's control over the store is evinced by the fact that Ace was a signatory to the settlement agreement approved by the Court, pursuant to which Ace will be jointly and severally liable for attorney's fees.
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination "by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation." 42 U.S.C. § 12182(a). The Ninth Circuit has interpreted the term "to operate" as "to put or keep in operation," "to control or direct the functioning of," or "to conduct the affairs of; manage."
Importantly, the Ninth Circuit relied on
Here, Lemmons has submitted evidence showing that, under the franchising agreement, Ace requires Berkeley Hardware to abide by all federal and state laws, including those pertaining to disability access. Opp'n Cabalo Dec. Ex. 1 at 32:16-37:19 and Exhibits 1 and 3. According to the testimony of Ace's corporate designee, Ace has the contractual right to terminate the franchising agreement if Berkeley Hardware fails to comply with this requirement.
The Court concludes that, while these contractual terms might provide an additional incentive to Berkeley Hardware to comply with federal and state laws, they do not grant Ace the "specific control" necessary to impose liability on it. Lemmons points to no evidence to show that Ace retained the authority under the agreement to dictate the physical layout of the store, or that otherwise participated in the alleged acts of discrimination against Plaintiff. In the absence of such evidence, the Court cannot conclude that Ace had control over the store such that it could ensure nondiscrimination against the disabled.
Accordingly, because Ace cannot be liable as an "operator" under the ADA, Defendants' motion for summary judgment as to Lemmon's Unruh Act claim against ACE is GRANTED, and Lemmon's motion for summary judgment as to the same is DENIED.
EQR contends that it is a "successor owner" and that, as such, it cannot be held liable for the prior owner's failure to comply with the ADA's design and construction provision. As will be discussed in section II.A.c.i., below, the Court is not persuaded by this argument.
As defined by the ADA, unlawful discrimination occurs when features of an accommodation
42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(1)(A)(i).
A plaintiff can establish discrimination in violation of the ADA by showing that the defendant violated the applicable accessibility standards set forth in the ADA Accessibility Guidelines ("ADAAG"). Oliver v. Ralphs Grocery Co., 654 F.3d 903, 905 (9th Cir. 2011) (citations omitted) ("If a particular architectural feature of a place of public accommodation is inconsistent with the ADAAG, a plaintiff can bring a civil action claiming that the feature constitutes a barrier that denies the plaintiff full and equal enjoyment of the premises in violation of the ADA."). These guidelines fall within three categories: (1) the "new construction" provisions, which apply to public accommodations constructed after January 26, 1992; (2) the "readily achievable" provisions, which apply to unaltered portions of buildings constructed before January 26, 1992; and (3) the "alteration" provisions, which apply to post-January 26, 1992, alterations to buildings that existed as of that date.
Here, both parties agree that the store was built prior to 1992. As such, Defendants cannot be liable under the "new construction" provisions.
In her motion, Lemmons contends that the barriers in the store violate both the "alterations" and the "readily achievable" provisions.
The ADA requires that any alterations made after January 26, 1992, to an existing building be made "readily accessible to and useable by" individuals with disabilities "to the maximum extent feasible[.]" 42 U.S.C. § 12183(a)(2). An entity violates the ADA when it fails to comply with the applicable ADAAG at the time of an alteration.
"Alteration" is not defined in the ADA, but it is defined in the ADAAG as follows:
28 C.F.R. § 36.402 & Appendix A.
"[T]he concept of `usability' is central to determining whether an alteration has been made[.]"
This work falls squarely within the ADAAG's definition of alteration, which includes "changes or rearrangement in structural parts or elements." As such, Lemmons has met her burden to show that the retrofit constituted an alteration within the meaning of the ADA that triggered an obligation to make the altered portions of the store "readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities." Defendants' failure to remove the barriers at issue in order to make the store readily accessible to Lemmons following the 1997 retrofit therefore constitutes a violation of the ADAAG and the ADA.
In their opposition, Defendants make four arguments in an effort to preclude the entry of summary judgment in Lemmons' favor. None of them succeeds.
First, Defendants contend that the 1997 retrofit does not constitute an alteration under the ADA because it did not affect the usability of the facility, as it did not render the store new "in any sense." Opp'n at 14. Because Defendants point to no evidence or authority to support this contention, and because the Court already has concluded that Lemmons has shown that the retrofit falls squarely within the scope of the ADAAG's definition of "alteration" in light of the structural elements that it affected, this argument fails.
Second, Defendants argue that, even if the retrofit constitutes an alteration, a genuine issue of material fact exists with respect to whether the prior owner of the store was relieved from having to make any ADA-related upgrades at the time of the retrofit.
This argument fails for two reasons. First, Defendants cite to no authority establishing that an entity can be exempted from making required modifications under the ADA by a hardship exemption. While a hardship exemption can excuse an entity from making accessibility modifications required by California law, the effect of such an exemptions is not clear in the context of the ADA. Second, even assuming that a hardship exemption could excuse Defendants from making the ADA modifications in question, Defendants have not met their burden to establish the existence of such an exemption.
Third, Defendants contend that Lemmons' testimony regarding the treatment she received at the store is not credible, as some of the evidence on the record shows that employees at the store regularly provided assistance to her.
This argument is unpersuasive. The testimony that Defendants contend is not credible is completely irrelevant to the question of whether the 1997 retrofit constituted an alteration. That is because the treatment that Lemmons received at the store, or Lemmons' perception of such treatment, is not an element for establishing a violation under the ADA for failure to comply with the "alteration" provisions, which focus on the remediation of physical (as opposed to policy-based) accessibility barriers. And, even if such evidence were relevant, the Court cannot engage in credibility determinations when resolving a motion for summary judgment. Defendants' reliance on
Finally, Defendants contend that, even if the retrofit constituted an alteration, EQR cannot be held liable for any violations of the ADA's design and construction provisions committed by the store's prior owners. This argument misses the point. The issue before the Court is not whether Defendants can be held liable for violations of the ADA's design and construction provisions, which are governed by 42 U.S.C. § 12183(a)(1). Rather, the issue is whether Defendants can be held liable for violations of the ADA's alterations provisions, which are governed by 42 U.S.C. § 12183(a)(2). For this reason, the two cases that Defendants cite, which address to the applicability of the ADA's design and construction provisions to subsequent owners, are inapposite.
The Ninth Circuit has not addressed the question of whether a subsequent owner can be held liable for violations of the ADA's alteration provisions. The Ninth Circuit has held, however, that only a current owner, lessee, lessor, or operator of a noncompliant public accommodation can be liable under the ADA for design and construction discrimination under § 12183(a)(1).
Based on the reasoning in Lonberg, it is clear that the ADA must be construed to permit the assertion of claims for violations of the ADA's alteration provisions against the current "owner, lessee, lessor, or operator" of the store — in other words, the person or entity "currently in control of the building."
The "readily achievable" provisions apply to existing buildings that have not undergone alterations.
The entity that owns, operates, or leases such a building carries the burden of showing that the removal of each of the barriers at issue would not be readily achievable.
Here, the Court has concluded that Lemmons has established a violation of the "alterations" provisions of the ADAAG with respect to Berkeley Hardware and EQR, and so the "readily achievable" provisions do not apply. Even if they did, however, Defendant has done nothing to meet its burden of showing that the required alterations to the facility were not "readily achievable." Defendant has submitted no evidence regarding any of the factors identified in § 12182(9). At the hearing on these motions, Defendants acknowledged that they had not even produced financial information in discovery regarding two of their group, much less introduced such evidence in connection with these motions. Similarly, Defendants have introduced no evidence regarding the relationship of the costs of repair to the total revenue of the hardware store, its total operating costs, or the "impact otherwise of such action upon the operation of the facility."
Defendants are not entitled to judgment on the grounds that any necessary modifications were not "readily achievable."
Having concluded that Lemmons has established a violation of the ADA, which satisfies the first element of a claim for damages under the Unruh Act, the Court now turns to the question of whether Lemmons has established the second element of that claim.
Damages for violations of the Unruh Act are governed by California Civil Code § 52, which provides, in relevant part:
Cal. Civ. Code § 52(a).
In order to recover damages under section 52 in connection with a construction-related accessibility Unruh Act claim premised on a violation of the ADA, a plaintiff must show that she "experienced difficulty, discomfort, or embarrassment as a result of personally encountering the ADA violation."
Here, Lemmons has submitted evidence showing that she suffered difficulty, discomfort, or embarrassment as a result of having encountered the barriers at issue, which satisfies her burden of production.
In their opposition, Defendants point to evidence showing that Lemmons went back to the store on multiple occasions despite having encountered the barriers at issue and despite having access to other stores in her neighborhood, and that she never complained to Berkeley Hardware or EQR about the treatment she received. Defendants contend that this evidence undermines the notion that Lemmons suffered difficulties, discomfort, or embarrassment. They also point to the testimony of several store employees, which shows that they provided assistance to Lemmons on multiple occasions during her shopping trips to the store.
The Court concludes that Defendants have failed to point to sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact with respect to this element. The question of whether a plaintiff suffered difficulties, discomfort, or embarrassment turns on evidence that necessarily is highly subjective. Evidence pertaining to the number of times she visited the store, to whether she had access to other stores, or whether she complained to management has very little relevance, if any, to the question at hand, because none of these facts are mutually exclusive with experiencing difficulties, discomfort, or embarrassment. This is particularly true in light of Lemmons' explanations for why she continued going to the store (because it had a larger variety of items than other stores and was more conveniently located) and why she chose not to complain (because she believed she would receive worse treatment in the future).
Accordingly, the Court concludes that Lemmons has met her burden to establish that she is entitled to damages in connection with her Unruh Act claim. Because Lemmons has agreed to limit her recovery with respect to each of the visits at issue to the statutory minimum of $4,000 per visit, and because her agreement to so limit her damages removes any factual dispute as to the appropriate amount of those damages, Lemmons shall recover a total of $52,000 from Berkeley Hardware and EQR.
Defendants move for summary judgment on Lemmons' Unruh Act claim on the ground that this claim is barred by the applicable statute of limitations, which is two years.
Lemmon responds that the notion that all 13 incidents are part of single violation must be rejected, because the Unruh Act entitles her to damages for each access violation she encountered, which establishes that each access violation is a separate incident that triggers its own statute of limitations. She also contends that none of the 13 incidents at issue are barred by the applicable two-year statute of limitation, because each incident took place within two years of the filing of the complaint in this case.
The Court concludes that each of the 13 visits at issue constitute a separate violation of the Unruh Act. First, the plain language of the Act provides that a person who discriminates in violation of the Act will be liable "based on each particular occasion that the plaintiff was denied full and equal access, and not upon the number of violations of construction-related accessibility standards identified at the place of public accommodation where the denial of full and equal access occurred."
In light of this conclusion, none of the 13 incidents are barred by the two-year statute of limitations, because each incident occurred within two years of the filing of the complaint.
Accordingly, Defendant's motion for summary judgment is DENIED as to this defense.
Defendants also move for summary judgment on Lemmons' Unruh Act claim on the ground that this claim is barred by the "avoidable consequences doctrine." Defendants contend that Lemmons had a duty to limit her visits to the store in light of the barriers she encountered starting in 2004 so as to mitigate her damages. Defendants emphasize that Lemmons never complained to any store employee about the barriers, which implies that Lemmons continued to visit the store in order to receive a higher damages award.
Lemmons responds that the doctrine does not bar her claim and explains that the reason why she continued to shop at the store was that she store was conveniently located and carried a superior selection of products. She also contends that the reason why she did not complain about the barriers was that she felt that her complaints would be futile and that she would receive worse treatment if she complained.
The Court concludes that Defendants have failed to meet their burden to show that the avoidable consequences doctrine bars Lemmons' claim. None of the authorities that Defendants cite establishes that the doctrine is applicable to violations of the Unruh Act. The only case that involves the Unruh Act is
Id. at 179. The court then declined "to review defendant's potential equitable defenses or to examine any constitutional limitations on damage awards that are based upon violation of a statute."
Having concluded that there is no authority for applying the avoidable consequences doctrine in an Unruh Act case, the court declines to apply it here. Accordingly, Defendants' motion for summary judgment is DENIED as to this defense.
The California Disabled Persons Act, which is codified at California Civil Code section 54, provides that:
Cal. Civ. Code § 54(a).
Unlike claims for disability discrimination brought under the Unruh Act, a plaintiff asserting a claim under section 54 need not establish intent.
Damages for violations of section 54 are governed by California Civil Code § 54.3, which provides, in relevant part:
Cal. Civ. Code§ 54.3(a).
A plaintiff may recover minimum statutory damages even if no actual damages have been sustained so long as she was denied equal access in violation of section 54.
Lemmons also moves for summary judgment on her claim under the CDPA. Because the Court has concluded that Lemmons is entitled to summary judgment on her claim under the Unruh Act with respect to Berkeley Hardware and EQR, her motion for summary judgment as to these defendants must be DENIED, because she cannot recover under both statutes.
Lemmons' motion for summary judgment is resolved as follows:
— Lemmons is entitled to summary judgment on her Unruh Act claims against
Berkeley Hardware and EQR. She shall recover $52,000 from these defendants.
— Lemmons' motion for summary judgment on her Unruh Act claim against Ace is DENIED.
— Lemmons' motion for summary judgment as to her CDPA claim is DENIED as to all defendants.
Defendants' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED only with respect to Ace. Ace is entitled to summary judgment as to all claims asserted against it to the extent that such claims are premised on violations of the ADA. The motion is otherwise DENIED.
