Three high-end retailers have found themselves the subject of federal lawsuits filed by a California man with disabilities who claims he was unable to access their stores in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Plaintiff Brian Whitaker must use a wheelchair due to a C-4 spinal injury that has rendered him a quadriplegic. He filed three lawsuits in California federal court Monday claiming that he was unable to access a trio of high-end boutiques during a trip to one of America’s most famous shopping destinations – Rodeo Drive located in Beverly Hills, California.
The complaints detail trips by Whitaker to Bottega Veneta, Giorgio Armani, and Tom Ford locations in February. Whitaker says he encountered a number of problems when he attempted to access the stores, including tables that were too low for wheelchair users.
“As a wheelchair user, the plaintiff benefits from and is entitled to use wheelchair accessible facilities,” contends Whitaker in his complaints. “By failing to provide accessible facilities, the defendants denied the plaintiff full and equal access.”
The lawsuits point out that the high-end retailers could easily fix the accessibility issues at their Rodeo Drive locations. In addition, Whitaker alleges that other accessibility issues likely exist, pledging to conduct a site inspection at each store.
“Given the obvious and blatant nature of the barriers and violations…the plaintiff alleges, on information and belief, that there are other violations and barriers on the site that relate to his disability,” states the complaint.
Whitaker’s ADA lawsuits claim that the retailers have discriminated against him as a wheelchair user by failing to make their Rodeo Drive locations accessible. In addition to violating the ADA, Whitaker claims that Bottega Veneta, Giorgio Armani, and Tom Ford violated federal civil rights laws.
The ADA lawsuits seek to hold the high-end retailers responsible for their lack of compliance with the ADA and civil rights laws. Whitaker says that Bottega Veneta, Giorgio Armani, and Tom Ford should each pay up to $4,000 for each violation and be compelled to make their locations accessible to him and other wheelchair users.
Have you had trouble accessing Rodeo Drive or other high-end retail locations? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
The plaintiff is represented by Raymond Ballister Jr., Russell Handy, Dennis Price, and Amanda Seabock of the Center for Disability Access.
The ADA Lawsuits are Whitaker v. Bottega Veneta Inc., Case No. 2:21-cv-03520; Witaker v. Giorgio Armani Corporation, Case No. 2:21-cv-03512; and Whitaker v. Tom Ford Retail California LLC, Case No. 2:21-cv-03517 all in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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2 thoughts onADA Lawsuits Against Rodeo Drive Retailers Armani, Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford
I had a very hard time climbing the stairs on Via Rodeo and accessing the mentioned retailers on more than one occasion due to my low vision. Once the stairs were wet and I lost my balance and fell. No one was there to take my claim.
I had s very hard time climbing the stairs on Via Rodeo and accessing the mentioned retailers on more than one occasion due to my low vision. Once the stairs were wet and I lost my balance and fell. No one was there to take my claim.