LA Fitness facing federal lawsuit over disability discrimination

LA Fitness is facing a lawsuit by the federal government for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities at its gyms and fitness clubs, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

LA Fitness, whose parent company is California-based Fitness International LLC, is accused of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide people with disabilities equal access to its services and facilities.

Federal authorities also alleged LA Fitness violated the ADA by charging extra fees to people with disabilities while failing to remove architectural barriers.

"We saw people who couldn’t access the pool, people who couldn’t access the jacuzzi, shower facilities," U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said. "One individual couldn’t even access the entrance."

The lawsuit aims to stop LA Fitness, which has more than 700 gyms across the country, from discriminating against people with disabilities and require the company to make adjustments to its facilities and equipment so they are accessible, the DOJ said.

“Through this lawsuit, the department seeks to remedy LA Fitness’s discriminatory actions and ensure that patrons with disabilities have equal access to fully participate at their local LA Fitness gym and fitness clubs,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. 

The complaint filed Tuesday detailed the experiences of four members, listed as Patron A through D.

One man, Patron B who has cerebral palsy and is quadriplegic, said he was forced to crawl out of the pool, using the stairs, causing him pain and abrasion.

The Justice Department also said it’s seeking “money damages” for people harmed by LA Fitness’ discrimination, including those who were charged extra fees to have a friend, nurse or personal assistant to help them use LA fitness facilities.

Also for people who experienced discrimination due to a broken pool lift or elevator within LA Fitness facilities, authorities urged them to file their claim.

One member listed in the complaint said even when the pool lifts appeared to be working, she experienced being stuck and dangling over the water.

Authorities asked people to file their claim by calling 1-888-392-5417 (toll-free) or emailing Claims.LAFitness@usdoj.gov. 

More information on the ADA is available by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TDD 800-514-0383) or visiting www.ada.gov.

In response to the complaint, a spokesperson for LA Fitness released a statement:

“Ensuring all members and guests are welcome at our clubs is of paramount importance to LA Fitness. The Company takes its obligation to comply with the ADA seriously and promptly responds to any ADA issues.  We intend to vigorously defend against this action.”