In a striking legal development, a California resident with disabilities has filed a lawsuit against an auto center for failing to provide accessible parking facilities. The complaint was lodged by Andy Martin on May 1, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, targeting Westlake Auto Center, LLC and several unnamed defendants. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants have violated multiple civil rights laws by not ensuring adequate handicapped parking accommodations.
Andy Martin's lawsuit arises from an incident on February 7, 2025, when he visited Westlake Auto Center located at 3111 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA. As a paraplegic who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, Martin found himself unable to access the auto center's services due to the absence of designated van-accessible handicapped parking spots with the required adjacent access aisle. This failure resulted in "difficulty, discomfort, and embarrassment" for Martin as he attempted to obtain smog certification for his vehicle while assisting his sister with her car registration.
The plaintiff argues that these accessibility barriers constitute violations of both state and federal laws designed to protect individuals with disabilities. Specifically cited are breaches of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. According to Martin's complaint, "the lack of the required number of van accessible handicapped parking spaces" is not only illegal but also easily remediable without significant difficulty or expense.
Martin seeks judicial intervention to compel Westlake Auto Center to rectify these accessibility issues through injunctive relief. He also demands damages under the Unruh Civil Rights Act which stipulates actual damages along with a statutory minimum of $4,000 per violation. Additionally, Martin requests compensation for reasonable attorney’s fees and litigation costs.
The case underscores ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in accessing public accommodations despite existing legal protections. It also highlights how such barriers can be addressed through legal channels when businesses fail to comply voluntarily.
Representing Andy Martin is Dayton Magallanes from the Law Offices of Dayton Magallanes based in Moorpark, CA. The case is presided over by judges at the Superior Court of California in Ventura County under Case No. 2075 CUCRO4ASS 74.