The Justice Department sued LA Fitness, the largest chain of gyms in the U.S., for discriminating against people with disabilities at its nearly 700 locations.
The lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California claims that LA Fitness violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This law prevents gyms and fitness clubs from discriminating against individuals with disabilities.
The department’s lawsuit claims that LA Fitness Gym and Fitness Clubs have many obstacles preventing members with disabilities from accessing the facilities and using the pools and equipment. Common issues include broken pool lifts and elevators. As a result, individuals with mobility disabilities sometimes cannot enter the clubs or pools. Occasionally, they have found themselves stuck on broken pool lifts, needing help from LA Fitness staff to get in or out of the water, or having to crawl out of the pools. Despite complaints from disabled members, LA Fitness did not address these problems for extended periods.
LA Fitness must provide equal access to its services and facilities, eliminate barriers to accessibility, and maintain accessible features. Additionally, the ADA prohibits LA Fitness from charging extra fees to people with disabilities.
“Access to physical fitness activity is crucial for promoting the health and well-being of all Americans, including those with disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “For over 30 years, the ADA has prohibited gyms and fitness clubs like LA Fitness from denying patrons with disabilities the opportunity to use and enjoy facilities enjoyed by patrons without disabilities. Through this lawsuit, the Justice Department seeks to eliminate LA Fitness’s discriminatory barriers and ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to fully participate at their local LA Fitness gym and fitness clubs.”
Through the lawsuit, the department wanted the court to prevent LA Fitness from discriminating against people with disabilities. This includes requiring LA Fitness to make its facilities and equipment accessible. The department also seeks compensation for those harmed by LA Fitness’ discrimination, including individuals affected by access barriers and broken equipment and those who had to pay extra fees for assistance from friends, nurses, or personal assistants when using LA Fitness facilities.
“Ensuring accessibility is key to safeguarding civil rights for all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “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.”
If you or someone you know had trouble accessing an LA Fitness gym or fitness club because of a disability, including due to a broken pool lift or elevator, or if you were charged an extra fee to have someone help you access LA Fitness’ equipment, please call 1-888-392-5417 (toll-free), or email Claims.LAFitness@usdoj.gov. For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visit www.ada.gov. For more information on the Civil Rights Division, please visit www.justice.gov/crt.
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