In a gripping legal battle unfolding in San Francisco, a resident is taking on a prominent housing management company and its affiliates over alleged negligence and discrimination. Rossie Hawkins filed a lawsuit on November 22, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against LS Housing Preservation LP, La Salle Preservation L.P., Related Management Company, L.P., and Medichair Transportation LLC. The complaint accuses these entities of numerous violations ranging from negligence to elder abuse.
Rossie Hawkins, who has been residing at the La Salle Apartments since December 2011 under a subsidized rental agreement, claims that her landlords have consistently failed to maintain her living conditions to an acceptable standard. She alleges that her apartment suffered from severe habitability issues such as dilapidated ceilings, excessive moisture, pest infestations, and unsafe staircases. Despite repeated complaints to the management about these hazardous conditions, Hawkins asserts that no adequate measures were taken to rectify them. This neglect allegedly led to multiple injuries for Hawkins due to falls on the staircase.
Hawkins also accuses the defendants of violating California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Unruh Civil Rights Act by discriminating against her based on her disability. As her mobility decreased over time—requiring first a walker and then a wheelchair—she requested reasonable accommodations for an accessible unit without stairs. These requests were allegedly ignored or inadequately addressed by Related Management Company L.P., further exacerbating her difficulties.
The lawsuit details how Hawkins' attempts to secure safer housing went unheeded even after she suffered significant injuries from falls within the property. In one instance in February 2024, she fell down the staircase injuring her legs; another fall in June resulted in foot and neck injuries severe enough to necessitate temporary relocation with family for recovery.
Adding another layer to this complex case is Medichair Transportation LLC's involvement. Hawkins claims that during transportation arranged by Medichair for medical appointments following one of her falls, she was improperly handled resulting in further injury when she was jolted out of her wheelchair.
Hawkins seeks comprehensive relief through this lawsuit including compensatory damages for personal injury and emotional distress caused by what she describes as willful neglect and discriminatory practices by all defendants involved. Her legal team demands not only financial compensation but also punitive damages intended to punish the defendants for their alleged misconduct.
Representing Rossie Hawkins are attorneys Jason N. Wolford and Tyler Rougeau from Wolford Wayne LLP. The case is presided over by Judge Sahar Enayati under Case ID CGC-24-620036.