A disabled man is suing the managers of New Orleans' City Park, alleging several violations of federal disability law.
Thad Tatum filed a lawsuit July 8 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against the New Orleans City Park Improvement Association.
According to the complaint, Tatum, a paraplegic from Orleans Parish who uses a wheelchair, has attended events at Tad Gormley Stadium, which is managed by the defendant, and he last attended an event June 21. The suit says Tatum encountered "numerous barriers which hindered his ability to access the services and utilize the programs offers" there.
The lawsuit states Tatum had "great difficulty" using the restroom and accessing certain areas, the ticket counter and area weren't accessible because they were on unfinished dirt, there was no handicapped parking, the accessible route was cracked in places, and ramps and curb cuts don't have level landings.
These architectural features, the lawsuit states, constitute violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Tatum seeks a court injunction to make the defendant repair or alter those areas mentioned in the lawsuit that violate the ADA. He also asks for the court to demand the defendant "redress injuries suffered" as a result of the alleged violations. He is represented by attorneys Garret S. DeReus and Andrew D. Bizer of The Bizer Law Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-02508-CJB-DEK.