A legal battle has emerged in Ventura County, California, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities seeking equal access to public accommodations. On April 22, 2025, Gabby Furno filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, against Freedom Hawk Investment, LLC., alleging violations of disability rights laws.
Gabby Furno, a paraplegic who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, claims that Freedom Hawk Investment, LLC., owners of a parking lot serving a hair salon at 2358 E. Main Street in Ventura, failed to provide adequate accessible parking facilities. The complaint details an incident on August 1, 2024, when Furno attempted to visit the salon but encountered significant barriers due to the lack of designated van-accessible handicapped parking with proper signage and adjacent access aisles. This denial of access caused her "difficulty, discomfort, and embarrassment," as stated in the filing.
Furno's lawsuit is grounded in allegations that Freedom Hawk Investment violated multiple legal statutes designed to protect individuals with disabilities. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. According to the complaint, "the failure by Defendant to ensure that accessible facilities were available and ready to be used by Plaintiff is a violation of the law." The lawsuit asserts that these barriers are easily removable without significant difficulty or expense and argues that there are numerous alternative accommodations available.
The plaintiff seeks both injunctive relief and damages. Specifically, she requests the court compel Freedom Hawk Investment to comply with accessibility standards under the Unruh Civil Rights Act. Additionally, she seeks statutory damages under this act amounting to at least $4,000 for each violation encountered. The complaint also demands reasonable attorney’s fees and litigation costs pursuant to Cal. Civ. Code § 52.
Representing Gabby Furno is attorney Dayton Magallanes from the Law Offices of Dayton Magallanes located in Moorpark, CA. The case was filed under Case No. 2g925 CLIC RO4 2646 at the Superior Court of California in Ventura County.