JoAnne Green has filed a lawsuit against Pelican Rental Properties, L.L.C. and Bryant Ducote, alleging housing discrimination based on disability. The complaint was submitted on March 10, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. Green accuses the defendants of retaliatory actions that violate her rights under the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit centers around an incident where Ms. Green's wheelchair ramp was removed by Bryant Ducote, leaving her trapped inside her home. According to the complaint, Ms. Green, who suffers from disabilities including hip issues and diabetes, began using a power wheelchair in February 2024. She had informed Mr. Ducote about her need for a ramp to access her residence at 619 W. Burton Street in Sulphur, Louisiana. Despite initially agreeing to install the ramp, Mr. Ducote later removed it without warning on May 18, 2024, after Ms. Green fell behind on rent payments.
Ms. Green alleges that this act was a form of retaliation and discrimination due to her disability and inability to pay rent on time. After several failed attempts to have the ramp reinstalled correctly, including calls to law enforcement and enduring dehydration due to being unable to leave her home for supplies, Ms. Green eventually vacated the property fearing eviction without legal proceedings.
The complaint accuses Pelican Rental Properties and Bryant Ducote of violating the Fair Housing Act by making the property unavailable due to disability-based discrimination and failing to provide reasonable accommodations as required by law. Additionally, it claims negligence under Louisiana state law for not adhering to federal civil rights laws designed to protect individuals with disabilities.
Ms. Green seeks a declaratory judgment confirming that the defendants' actions violated federal housing laws, along with compensatory damages for physical injuries and emotional distress caused by their conduct. She also requests punitive damages for intentional or reckless disregard of her rights and reimbursement for legal fees incurred during this litigation.
The case is represented by attorneys Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. DeReus, and Eva M. Kalikoff from Bizer & DeReus LLC in New Orleans. The case ID is: 225cv295.