A California resident with disabilities has filed a lawsuit against a local business for failing to provide adequate access to its facilities, highlighting ongoing issues of accessibility compliance. On January 8, 2025, Andy Martin lodged a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, against Green Energy Holdings, LLC. The lawsuit alleges that the company violated multiple civil rights laws by not providing necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
The complaint details an incident on November 26, 2024, when Andy Martin attempted to visit a convenience store located at 2450 Auto Center Drive in Oxnard, California. Martin, who is paraplegic and relies on a wheelchair for mobility, encountered significant barriers due to the lack of designated van-accessible handicapped parking spots and an accessible pathway from the parking area to the store entrance. According to the filing, these omissions caused Martin "difficulty, discomfort, and embarrassment," denying him full and equal access as mandated by law.
Martin's legal action accuses Green Energy Holdings and unnamed defendants (Does 1-10) of violating several statutes designed to protect individuals with disabilities. The complaint cites breaches of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. Specifically, it claims that Green Energy Holdings failed to remove architectural barriers that are "readily achievable" to eliminate. These failures are seen as acts of discrimination under both federal and state laws.
In his lawsuit, Martin argues that these accessibility violations are easily correctable without undue difficulty or expense. He points out that alternative accommodations could be implemented if complete removal of barriers is not feasible. The plaintiff seeks injunctive relief compelling the defendants to rectify these issues in compliance with legal standards. Additionally, Martin demands damages under the Unruh Civil Rights Act which includes actual damages and statutory minimum penalties amounting to $4,000 per violation.
Represented by attorney Dayton Magallanes from Moorpark-based Law Offices of Dayton Magallanes, Andy Martin is determined not only to secure personal justice but also broader compliance from businesses regarding accessibility standards. This case underscores ongoing challenges faced by disabled individuals in accessing public spaces and highlights legal avenues available for addressing such grievances.
The case was filed under Case No. 2025CUCRO37004 in front of Ventura Superior Court's Hall of Justice. It will be presided over by judges yet unnamed in the documents provided thus far.