In a legal battle that underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, Anthony Bouyer has filed a lawsuit against Carlos Corona Santana in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura on February 26, 2025. The complaint accuses Santana and other unnamed defendants of violating both the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Unruh Civil Rights Act (UCRA), seeking injunctive relief and damages for these alleged infractions.
Anthony Bouyer, a California resident who relies on mobility aids due to significant physical disabilities, visited El Pollo Corona Grill located at 1723 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley, CA on October 1, 2024. During his visit, Bouyer encountered numerous barriers that he claims violated ADA standards. According to the complaint, these included improperly secured floor mats, inadequate path widths for travel, excessively high transaction counters, and non-compliant parking slopes. "The conditions present at the Business and Property on the Date of Visit failed to comply with the applicable ADA Standards for Accessible Design," Bouyer alleges in his filing.
Bouyer's lawsuit highlights several specific areas where he believes the property fell short of federal accessibility requirements. He asserts that Santana and associated parties failed to remove architectural barriers or provide alternative accommodations as mandated by law. The complaint further argues that these oversights have not only denied him full access but also continue to deter him from returning to the establishment. "Plaintiff is being deterred from patronizing the accommodations provided for public use at the Business and/or the Property due to Plaintiff's knowledge of the ongoing existence of discriminatory ADA violations thereat," reads one section of the document.
Seeking redress from the court, Bouyer requests a declaratory judgment acknowledging past discrimination and mandates for corrective action within a specified timeframe. He demands permanent injunctive relief compelling compliance with ADA standards or alternative methods if full compliance isn't feasible. Additionally, Bouyer seeks statutory damages amounting to no less than $4,000 per violation under California law and reimbursement for legal fees incurred during this process.
Represented by Joseph R. Manning Jr., Esq., from Manning Law APC, Bouyer aims to ensure not only personal justice but also broader compliance with disability rights laws. The case is presided over by Judge Brenda L. Onmick under Case No. 2025CUCRO39432.