A Lafourche Parish man is suing two property owner-management firms, alleging unlawful disregard of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Andrew Schlesinger filed a lawsuit June 26 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against Lynn Investments of Plattenville, and doing business in Terrebonne Parish, and Mystic of Houma, alleging the layout of their shopping center, which the plaintiff last attempted to navigate in May, violates the ADA.
According to the complaint, Schlesinger suffers from spina bifida, requiring a wheelchair for mobility, and cannot walk, stand or use his legs without help. The filing states Schlesinger encountered difficulties accessing the property at 1222 St. Charles St., Houma, due to architectural barriers, which he believes violate the law because they prevent physically impaired individuals from accessing certain areas of the shopping center.
The suit details five instances of inaccessible locations or barriers, such as ramp inclines, parking spaces and blocked shopping aisles. The plaintiff’s most recently documented visit to the property was May 28.
Schlesinger requests declaratory and injunctive relief to have the property altered to accommodate individuals with disabilities, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney and expert witness fees, expenses and court costs. He is represented by attorneys Andrew Bizer and Garret DeReus of The Bizer Law Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-02331-LMA-SS.