Daniel Todd, a resident of Louisiana, has filed a lawsuit against Monica Layne Givens in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on November 18, 2024. The complaint alleges that Givens has failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR), creating barriers that prevent Todd from accessing a property owned by Givens.
The plaintiff, Daniel Todd, claims that he is a qualified individual with a disability under both federal and state law due to his missing leg, which substantially impairs his ability to walk and stand without assistance. As a result, Todd relies on a wheelchair for mobility. The lawsuit centers around property located at 1301 Windsor Place in Alexandria, Louisiana—a strip mall owned by Monica Layne Givens. This property includes various public accommodations such as restaurants and bars. According to Todd's complaint, there are several architectural barriers at this location that violate ADA standards. These include the absence of designated accessible parking spaces and issues with the curb ramp connecting the parking lot to the property's promenade.
Todd asserts that these barriers have deterred him from visiting the property despite its proximity to his home in Winnfield, Louisiana. He frequently travels to Alexandria for specialized medical treatment and other services not available in his hometown. Despite his intentions to return to the property, Todd fears encountering these same accessibility issues unless they are addressed through legal intervention.
In his lawsuit, Todd accuses Givens of discriminating against him based on his disability by denying him full access to goods and services offered at her property. He argues that removing these barriers is readily achievable without imposing an undue burden on Givens. Therefore, he seeks injunctive relief compelling her compliance with ADA requirements along with compensatory damages under LCHR provisions.
The plaintiff requests that the court declare Givens' property non-compliant with ADA and LCHR standards while ordering necessary alterations for accessibility improvements. Additionally, Todd seeks reasonable attorney fees and costs associated with pursuing this legal action against Givens.
Representing Daniel Todd are attorneys Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. DeReus, and Eva M. Kalikoff from Bizer & DeReus LLC based in New Orleans; no judge has been assigned yet but it bears Case ID: 1:24-cv-01583.