NEW ORLEANS – A Jefferson Parish man says officials have failed to make Johnny Jacobs Park handicapped accessible.
Lawrence Fultz filed a lawsuit Jan. 1 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against the Parish of Jefferson, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Fultz, an amputee at the left leg from the hip down, says the park he lives 1.5 miles from contains numerous architectural barriers hindering his access to its services and programs. Specifically, the suit claims there is no accessible seating in the stands of the Coach Melvin Burns Memorial Field, the sale and service counters are excessively high for wheelchair users, the handicapped bathroom stalls lack handrails along the back walls, and other alleged barriers exist.
Fultz seeks a declaratory judgment determining the property violates the ADA, an order to bring the property into compliance, nominal monetary damages and litigation costs. He is represented by attorneys Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. DeReus and Amands K. Klevorn of The Bizer Law Firm in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District Case number 2:16-CV-00001