The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a lawsuit against Fitness International LLC, commonly known as LA Fitness, accusing the gym chain of discriminating against individuals with disabilities.
The action puts a spotlight on the company’s operations in approximately 700 locations nationwide, including three in Ventura County, pinpointing alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
LA Fitness, hailed as the largest chain of owner-operated gyms in the country, is under scrutiny for purportedly failing to provide equal access to its facilities for people with disabilities, a requirement firmly established under the ADA. The federal lawsuit outlines several critical areas of non-compliance, including the removal of architectural barriers, maintaining accessible features, and the prohibition of additional fees for disabled patrons.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the underlying principles of the case, stating, “Ensuring accessibility is key to safeguarding civil rights for all Americans. Our office is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have access to public accommodations by enforcing the protections afforded by the Americans with Disabilities Act. When we support those with disabilities, our entire community benefits.”
Echoing Estrada’s sentiment, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division highlighted the importance of inclusive access to health and fitness facilities. “Access to physical fitness activity is crucial for promoting the health and well-being of all individuals, including those with disabilities,” Clarke remarked. She further pointed out the ADA’s longstanding prohibition against denying disabled patrons the enjoyment of facilities available to those without disabilities.
The federal lawsuit aims to compel LA Fitness to adhere to ADA standards by making its facilities and equipment fully accessible and equitable. Additionally, it seeks monetary compensation for individuals adversely affected by LA Fitness’s alleged discriminatory practices. Victims include those who encountered barriers to access or broken equipment, as well as those who were unjustly charged extra fees for requiring assistance with the club’s amenities.
In light of these developments, the Justice Department urges anyone who has experienced difficulty accessing LA Fitness’s facilities due to disability or has been subjected to additional fees for access assistance to come forward. Individuals can call 1-888-392-5417 (toll-free), or email Claims.LAFitness@usdoj.gov. For more information on the ADA, please call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov.
The case is managed by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Barragan and Margaret Chen of the Civil Division’s Civil Rights Section, along with attorneys from the Disability Rights Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, underscoring a concerted effort to defend the civil rights of Americans with disabilities across the nation.
My mom and I were discriminated by the Ventura location. She had dementia had we were trying to use her silver sneakers health insurance. When I tried to enroll her via her health plan, I asked for the reasonable accommodation that I attend to her for safety and prompting to exercise. I was told by the manager that I would have to enroll in the gym and pay regular dues to help her exercise, even if I was not going to use the equipment. I told the manager that this was an ADA violation and was told there was nothing they can do.
This is not good business ethically (double billing) nor community inclusion.
Seems like the us justice department would use its limited resources to target criminals instead of constantly suing US companies.
There are plenty of private attorneys and law firms that specialize in ADA compliance lawsuits.
This is a civil rights issue and these complaints as indicated are handled by the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department without charge and the complaining party does not receive any monetary award. I don’t believe they handle criminal cases, left to another division within the agency. Private attorneys will receive between 30-40% + of any award received by their client.
So, let’s close all these gyms and put all those people out of work. Government once again making it difficult to open and thrive in a business…
If it’s an ethical business, no problem. Are you somehow in favor of bad businesses?
Nothing gets solved by closing all gyms. But, if the government is going to enforce this civil law why not enforce the criminal law violations (including those) occurring at the border? In this specific case relative to the gym. Does the gym have a case if they argue selective enforcement is unjust, i.e., they pick and choose what laws to enforce? Since the government does not enforce all the laws equally should the case against the gym be dismissed?
You wandered off into hallucinatory territory there.Too bad, because you had a good point in your previous comment about civil rights.
ANON – the goal is not to close them, it’s to make them compliant with the law. Why are you opposed to that?
LA Fitness is a $2 billion company. They can afford to treat disabled people properly, and they don’t need you to white knight them.