(Lauren Taylor)
The US Department of Justice is suing LA Fitness, the nation’s largest health club chain, for discriminating against people with disabilities.
The lawsuit filed this week alleges that many of its 700 facilities violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide equal access to club services and facilities.
The Department of Justice points out locations where elevators are broken and pool elevators are out of order.
Some people have mobility issues and find themselves hanging over the pool and need to call for help. Others had to crawl out of the pool on their own.
Court documents reveal that the gym chain asked some members for additional contributions.
Even when people complained about the problem, federal officials said, “LA Fitness did not resolve the issue for an extended period of time.
The lawsuit asks the club to make all of its facilities and equipment accessible to people with disabilities and to resolve existing issues.
The agency is also seeking payments to disabled people harmed by the alleged violations.
LA Fitness has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but its website states:
The gym “does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities and, consistent with applicable law, will take the necessary steps to provide members with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of our facilities and services.”
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For Straight Arrow News – I’m Lauren Taylor.
