NEW ORLEANS — A St. John the Baptist Parish man is suing a LaPlace motel operator, alleging it illegally banned the plaintiff from the motel due to his disability.
Wayne Gilmore filed a lawsuit June 20 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Troxie Motel Inc. alleging failure to uphold Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.
According to the complaint, on Feb. 23 Gilmore visited the motel in LaPlace and experienced serious difficulties accessing and utilizing the services offered therein due to architectural barriers.
Additionally, the suit says, Gilmore was completely prevented and barred by the management from staying at the hotel and was forced to sleep in his friend’s vehicle for the night where they experienced chilly temperatures in 50s.
The plaintiff alleges Troxie Motel failed to provide accessible sidewalk routes throughout the property, failed to provide a ramp or accessible threshold for wheelchair use, failed to provide accessible guestroom entrance doors and and failed to provide accessible parking due to a total lack of spaces designated for disabled use.
Gilmore seeks a trial by jury, all damages, a declaration the property violates the ADA, an order directing Troxie to alter its facility to make it accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, an order directing the defendant to evaluate and change its policies, practices, and procedures toward people with disabilities, reasonable attorney fees, legal costs and other relief as the court deems proper. He is represented by attorney Georgianne Sims of Ku & Kussman PA in Miami Lakes, Florida.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-10984