SACRAMENTO — A disabled woman is suing owners of a Fresno hotel, alleging disability discrimination.
Theresa Brooke, who requires a wheelchair and has filed dozens of discrimination suits, filed a complaint Jan. 16 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against Jagdishkumar Patel and Bhikhabhai Patel, doing business as Comfort Suites Fresno River Park, alleging violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 13, 2018, Brooke went to Comfort Suites Fresno River Park, to book a room. The suit says the passenger loading zone to the lobby failed to allow her easy access in the same manner as able-bodied persons. Brooke alleges the barriers will continue to make her unable to use defendant's hotel and violates her rights under the ADA.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to remove architectural barriers to make its lodging services fully accessible to, and independently usable, by individuals who are disabled.
Brooke seeks trial by jury, declaratory and injunctive relief, nominal damages, order of the closure of the place of public accommodation until it has fully complied with the ADA, damages of no less than $1,000 and whatever other relief the court deems just, equitable and appropriate. She is represented by attorney Peter Kristofer Strojnik of The Strojnik Firm LLC in Phoenix.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California case number 1:18-cv-00070-DAD-EPG