LA Fitness being sued by US government over alleged discrimination

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS SUING THE NATION’S LARGEST FITNESS CLUB CHAIN, L-A FITNESS, ACCUSING IT OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THE LAWSUIT FILED THIS WEEK ALLEGES MANY OF ITS 700 FACILITIES VIOLATED THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT BY FAILING TO OFFER EQUAL ACCESS TO SERVICES AND FACILITIES AT ITS CLUBS.

THE D-O-J POINTS TO LOCATIONS WITH BROKEN ELEVATORS AND MALFUNCTIONING POOL LIFTS. 

LEAVING SOME PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES DANGLING ABOVE POOLS AND NEEDING TO CALL FOR HELP. WHILE OTHERS HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF THE POOL ON THEIR OWN.

COURT DOCUMENTS REVEAL THE GYM CHAIN CHARGED SOME MEMBERS EXTRA FOR THE HELP.

WHEN PEOPLE DID COMPLAIN ABOUT PROBLEMS, FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ASSERT, “L-A FITNESS DID NOT FIX THEM FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

THE LAWSUIT DEMANDS THE CLUB MAKE ALL OF ITS FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT ACCESSIBLE FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES– AND REMEDY EXISTING ISSUES.

THE AGENCY IS ALSO ASKING FOR MONEY FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES WHO WERE HARMED BY THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS.

L-A FITNESS HAS YET TO RESPOND TO THE SUIT BUT ITS WEBSITE SAYS 

THE GYM DOES “NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND WILL TAKE STEPS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE OUR MEMBERS WITH DISABILITIES FULL AND EQUAL ENJOYMENT OF OUR FACILITIES AND SERVICES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.”

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.