Daniel Todd, a resident of Louisiana, has filed a lawsuit against Frances Properties, Inc., alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR). The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on November 18, 2024. Todd claims that Frances Properties, Inc., which owns a strip mall in Alexandria, Louisiana, has failed to comply with accessibility requirements mandated by law.
According to the court documents, Daniel Todd is a qualified individual with a disability as he is missing a leg and requires a wheelchair for mobility. He resides in Winn Parish and frequently visits Alexandria for medical treatment and shopping. However, during his visits to the property owned by Frances Properties at 740 MacArthur Drive, Todd encountered several architectural barriers that deterred him from accessing the premises. These barriers include the absence of designated accessible parking spaces and an improper curb ramp connecting the parking lot to the property's promenade.
Todd alleges that these barriers violate Title III of the ADA and LCHR statutes by denying him full and equal enjoyment of goods and services offered at the property. He argues that removing these barriers is readily achievable without placing an undue burden on Frances Properties. Furthermore, Todd claims that despite being aware of these issues, Frances Properties has not taken steps to rectify them.
In his lawsuit, Todd seeks various forms of relief from the court. He requests injunctive relief requiring Frances Properties to make necessary alterations to ensure compliance with ADA and LCHR standards. Additionally, he seeks compensatory damages for injuries sustained due to discriminatory practices and reimbursement for attorneys' fees and costs incurred during litigation.
The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing public accommodations. It underscores legal obligations under federal and state laws to provide accessible facilities for all individuals regardless of their physical abilities.
Representing Daniel Todd are attorneys Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. DeReus, and Eva M. Kalikoff from Bizer & DeReus LLC based in New Orleans. The case is presided over by judges whose names are not specified in this document under Case ID 1:24-cv-01578.