A recent lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing equal services. On November 19, 2024, Leah Rowe Heyman filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against Tia Medical Group. The case underscores allegations of discrimination due to Heyman's disability and reliance on a service animal.
The complaint details that Leah Rowe Heyman, a resident of San Francisco who suffers from a traumatic brain injury, was denied access to Tia Medical Group's facility located at 1500 Mission Street because of her service dog. On October 11, 2024, Heyman visited the clinic for a pre-scheduled appointment accompanied by her service dog. After an unusually long wait in the reception area, she was informed by an employee that Tia Medical Group had instituted a new policy prohibiting service animals from entering their facilities. Despite Heyman's attempts to educate the staff about the legality and necessity of her service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), she was directed to contact an off-site manager who upheld this exclusionary policy.
Heyman's complaint accuses Tia Medical Group of violating Title II of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in places of public accommodation. The ADA mandates reasonable modifications to policies when necessary to afford access to disabled individuals. Furthermore, Heyman alleges violations under California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which guarantees full and equal accommodations regardless of disability status. The lawsuit asserts that Tia Medical Group’s conduct was not only discriminatory but also knowingly excluded her from accessing necessary medical services.
The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $34,999 along with attorney fees and other costs as allowed by statute. She argues that Tia Medical Group's actions were not justified by any legitimate business necessity and demands relief for being denied equal access due to her disability.
Representing Leah Rowe Heyman is Richard Morin from the Law Office of Rick Morin, PC. The case is presided over in the Superior Court of California under Case No. CGC-24-619922.