Plaintiff ABDUL NEVAREZ alleges continuous and ongoing discrimination. Plaintiffs have been injured by being deterred from visiting the Stadium and other events sponsored by defendants 49ERS LLC, STADCO, and NFL for other occasions that Plaintiffs desired to visit, including Super Bowl City 2016, and incidents occurring after the filing of this Complaint to the time of final judgment.
The barriers described above are only those that Plaintiff ABDUL NEVAREZ encountered. He is presently unaware of other barriers which may in fact exist at the Stadium and relate to his disabilities. Abdul will seek to amend this Complaint once such additional barriers are identified as it is his intention to have all barriers which exist at the Stadium and relate to his disabilities removed to afford him full and equal access.
Plaintiffs’ numerous complaints to Stadium employees and Defendants’ representatives have been ignored. Plaintiffs allege that it would be a futile gesture to provide further notices of violations relating to Plaintiffs’ continuous visits and deterrence and retaliation by Defendants, which are certain to occur on a regular basis following the filing of this Complaint. Therefore, Plaintiffs reserve, and will seek to supplement this Complaint at the time of trial as to subsequent events, according to proof.
Defendants knew, or should have known, that these policies, elements, and areas of the Stadium were inaccessible, violate state and federal law, and interfere with or deny access to the physically disabled. Moreover, Defendants have the financial resources to remove these barriers without much difficulty or expense, and make the Stadium accessible to the physically disabled.
GOVERNMENT CLAIM FILED – On or about July 8, 2016, Plaintiffs served a claim on defendant CITY. In a notice dated July 20, 2016, the CITY returned plaintiff ABDUL NEVAREZ’S claims related to the December 20, 2014, April 16, 2015, and November 29, 2015 events at the Stadium as untimely. In a notice dated August 17, 2016, the CITY returned plaintiff PRISCILLA NEVAREZ’S claims related to the December 20, 2014, April 16, 2015, and November 29, 2015 events at the Stadium as untimely. In notices dated September 13, 2016 and September 26, 2016, the CITY rejected Plaintiffs’ claims related to the April 2, 2016 event.
Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law to redress the wrongs suffered as set forth in this Complaint. Plaintiffs have suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable injury as a result of the unlawful acts, omissions, policies, and practices of Defendants as alleged herein, unless Plaintiffs are granted the relief they request. Plaintiffs and
Defendants have an actual controversy and opposing legal positions as to Defendants’ violations of the laws of the United States and the State of California. The need for relief is critical because the rights at issue are paramount under the laws of the United States and the State of California.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff ABDUL NEVAREZ and PRISCILLA NEVAREZ request for judgment and the following specific relief against Defendants:
1. Issue a declaratory judgment that Defendants’ actions, omissions, and failures, including but limited to: failing to construct and modify the premises in compliance with the law, failing to operate accessible ticketing procedures, failing to make reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications for Mr. Nevarez and other similarly situated disabled persons, and retaliating against Ms. Nevarez for asserting rights on her and Mr. Nevarez’s behalves, violate the rights of Plaintiffs and other similarly situated persons under 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq. and the regulations promulgated thereunder; 29 U.S.C. § 794; California Government Code § 11135; California Health & Safety Code §§ 19955-19959; and California Civil Code §§ 51 et seq. and 54 et seq.
2. Issue an order enjoining Defendants, their agents, officials, employees, and all persons and entities acting in concert with it:
a. From continuing the unlawful acts, conditions, and practices described in this Complaint;
b. To provide reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities in all its programs, services and activities at the Stadium;
c. To ensure that persons with disabilities are not denied the benefits of, or participation in, programs, services, and activities at the Stadium;
d. To modify the above-described facilities and procedures to provide full and equal access to persons with physical disabilities, including without limitation the removal of all barriers to access where “readily achievable”;
e. To maintain such accessible facilities and procedures once they are provided;
f. To train Defendant’s employees and agents in how to accommodate the rights and needs of physically disabled persons;
g. To implement nondiscriminating protocols, policies, and practices for accommodating persons with mobility disabilities.
3. Retain jurisdiction over Defendants until the Court is satisfied that Defendants’ unlawful policies, practices, acts and omissions, and maintenance of inaccessible public facilities as complained of herein no longer occur, and cannot recur;
4. Award to Plaintiffs all appropriate damages, including but not limited to statutory damages, general damages, and treble damages in an amount within the jurisdiction of the Court, all according to proof;
5. Award to Plaintiffs all reasonable statutory attorney fees, litigation expenses, and costs of this proceeding as provided by law, including but not limited to “public interest” attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs pursuant to the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure § 1021.5.
6. Award prejudgment interest pursuant to California Civil Code § 3291;
7. Grant such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.