FRESNO – A disabled woman alleges she was denied the right to park in the handicapped parking stalls on her employer's property.
Maria Cavazos filed a complaint on July 20 in the Fresno County Superior Court against United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley, et al. alleging that they violated the Unruh Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff has psoriatic arthritis and is disabled within the meaning of California codes. The suit states as an employee of the defendant and holder of a disabled placard to park in handicapped parking stalls, she parked in a handicapped stall beginning at the date of her hire.
The suit states in January 2017, she was told by a manager that she was no longer allowed to use the handicapped parking stalls because they were for patients and was required to park in the employee parking lot, which does not have handicapped parking stalls. She alleges she stepped into a pothole in the employee lot on Jan. 10, 2017, and fell. She alleges she complained about the denial of her right to use the handicapped stalls and was still not permitted to use them.
The plaintiff holds United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley, et al. responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment, discrimination and retaliation against her.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and cost and such other just and proper relief. She is represented by Edward B. Chatoian II of Law Offices of Edward B. Chatoian in Fresno.
Fresno County Superior Court case number 18CECG02709