SACRAMENTO — A disabled woman is suing Tulare property owners, alleging disability discrimination.
Cynthia Hopson filed a complaint Oct. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Vejar's Inc., Marketable Urban Investments LLC and Does 1-10, alleging they failed to provide full and safe equal access to their facilities.
According to the complaint, Hopson needs to use a mobility scooter. The suit says in 2017 she personally encountered a number of barriers that interfered with her ability to use and enjoy the goods, services, privileges and accommodations offered at defendants' facility at 1293 S. K St., Tulare, specifically Vejar's Mexican Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to provide an access aisle, making it more difficult to navigate with a wheeled device, failed to have grab bars making it more difficult to use the restroom, and failed to remove the architectural barriers making it inaccessible to the plaintiff.
Hopson seeks trial by jury, all appropriate damages of at least $1,000, injunctive relief, litigation expenses, costs of proceeding, attorney fees, and all further relief the court deems just. She is represented by attorney Daniel Malakauskas of Stockton.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California case number 17-C-01346