Loretta Coy, a resident of California, has filed a civil complaint against the City of San Jose and the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, alleging multiple violations of disability rights laws. The lawsuit was filed on January 22, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Coy accuses the defendants of failing to provide necessary accommodations for her mobility impairment during her travel through the airport.
According to the complaint, Loretta Coy is a qualified individual with a disability under several statutes including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. On November 30, 2023, she traveled through Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and requested assistance to transfer between gates due to her mobility impairment. Despite assurances from airport staff that accommodations would be provided, Coy alleges she was left without assistance and subsequently fell while attempting to navigate between gates unassisted.
Coy's complaint outlines several causes of action against the defendants: violation of the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, California Civil Code §54 (Disabled Persons Act), negligence in maintaining safe public property conditions, and violation of California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act. She asserts that these failures not only caused her physical injuries but also emotional distress and humiliation due to discrimination based on her disability.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court including declaratory judgments that confirm violations occurred under both federal and state laws protecting disabled individuals' rights. She demands injunctive relief to prevent future violations by ensuring compliance with accessibility standards at public facilities operated by the defendants. Additionally, Coy seeks compensatory damages for her injuries and statutory damages for each instance where she was denied access or deterred from using services due to accessibility barriers.
Representing Loretta Coy are attorneys Charles S. Roseman and Richard D. Prager from Law Offices of Charles S. Roseman & Associates based in San Diego. The case is being reviewed under Case ID 25CV457151 in front of Judge Yvonne Chavez at Santa Clara Superior Court.