Opinion
Case No. 1:21-cv-1256 JLT SAB
2023-01-13
Megan D. ERASMUS, Plaintiff, v. Allen T. CHIEN, D.D.S, dba Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center, et al., Defendants.
Dennis J. Price, Amanda Lockhart Seabock, Ariel E. Vento, Raymond Ballister, Jr., Zachary Manning Best, Russell Handy, Potter Handy LLP, San Francisco, CA, for Plaintiff. Doug M. Larsen, Fishman Larsen & Callister, Fresno, CA, for Defendants.
Dennis J. Price, Amanda Lockhart Seabock, Ariel E. Vento, Raymond Ballister, Jr., Zachary Manning Best, Russell Handy, Potter Handy LLP, San Francisco, CA, for Plaintiff. Doug M. Larsen, Fishman Larsen & Callister, Fresno, CA, for Defendants. ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISMISS WITH LEAVE TO AMEND AMOS L. MAZZANT, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Megan Erasmus asserts that the website of Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center failed to comply with accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and California law, because the video content lacked closed captioning. (See generally Doc. 1.) Defendants seek dismissal of the Complaint pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) and Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, asserting Erasmus lacks standing and failed to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. In addition, Defendants contend any claim under the ADA is moot because all videos on the website currently contain closed captioning. (Doc. 14.)
The Court finds the matter is suitable for decision without oral arguments, and no hearing will be set pursuant to Local Rule 230(g). For the reasons set forth below, Defendants' motion to dismiss is GRANTED, and the complaint is dismissed with leave to amend. I. Background and Procedural History
Erasmus reports she "is completely deaf and relies entirely on closed captioning to consume audio content such as movies, videos or tutorials." (Doc. 1 at 2, ¶ 2.) She asserts that "Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center operates privileges or services out of a physical location in California," and its "services are open to the public, places of public accommodation, and business establishments." (Id. at 4, ¶ 12.) Erasmus alleges the Center has a website with the root domain of https://fresnooralsurgery.com, which she visited in July 2021. (Id. at 3, ¶ 4; id. at 4, ¶ 16.)
Erasmus contends the Center "offers videos on its website to induce customers to purchase its services." (Doc. 1 at 4, ¶ 14.) According to Erasmus, "[w]ebsites and videos are some of the facilities, privileges, or advantages offered by Defendants to patrons of Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center." (Id.) Erasmus alleges she "was a prospective customer who wished to access Defendant's goods or services." (Id.) However, she contends she was "unable to fully understand and consume the contents of the videos" because the videos "lacked closed captioning." (Id., ¶ 17.) For example, Erasmus asserts she "experienced difficulty and discomfort in attempting to view videos including: 'About Our Oral Surgery Practice| Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center.' " (Id. at 4-5, ¶ 18.)
Erasmus asserts she made "multiple attempts to access the Website using [her] mobile device," and "has been denied the full use and enjoyment of the facilities, goods and services offered by Defendants as a result of the accessibility barriers." (Doc. 1 at 5, ¶ 20.) She contends, "[b]y failing to provide an accessible website, the Defendants denied [her] full and equal access to the facilities privileges or advantages offered to their customers." (Id., ¶ 22.) Erasmus alleges that "[i]f the Website had been constructed equally accessible to all individuals, [she] would have been able to navigate the website and avail herself of its services." (Id., ¶ 25.) Further, Erasmus asserts she was "deterred from returning to the website as a result of these prior experiences." (Id., ¶ 23.)
According to Erasmus, she "is a tester in this litigation and seeks future compliance with all federal and state laws." (Doc. 1 at 5, ¶ 26.) She alleges she "will return to the Website to avail herself of its services and to determine compliance with the disability access laws once it is represented to her that Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center and Website are accessible." (Id.)
On August 19, 2021, Erasmus filed a complaint against Allen T. Chien, D.D.S; Kheradpir DMD, MD Inc.; Shannon K. Barnhart, D.D.S Inc.; Brian Huh, DMD, Inc.; Thomas Curiel, DMD, Inc. — each doing business as Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center — seeking to hold the defendants liable for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and California law. (See generally Doc. 1.) Defendants filed the motion to dismiss now pending before the Court on December 22, 2021. (Doc. 14.) Erasmus filed her opposition to the motion on January 26, 2022 (Doc. 22), to which Defendants filed a reply on January 31, 2022 (Doc. 23). II. Motions to Dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1)
The district court is a court of limited jurisdiction, and is empowered only to hear disputes "authorized by Constitution and statute." Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co. of Am., 511 U.S. 375, 377, 114 S.Ct. 1673, 128 L.Ed.2d 391 (1994); Exxon Mobil Corp v. Allapattah Servs., Inc., 545 U.S. 546, 552, 125 S.Ct. 2611, 162 L.Ed.2d 502 (2005). Federal courts are "presumed to lack jurisdiction in a particular case, unless the contrary affirmatively appears." A-Z Int'l. v. Phillips, 323 F.3d 1141, 1145 (9th Cir. 2003). Thus, a plaintiff carries the burden of demonstrating the Court has subject matter jurisdiction. Kokkonen, 511 U.S. at 377, 114 S.Ct. 1673 (citing McNutt v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 298 U.S. 178, 182-83, 56 S.Ct. 780, 80 L.Ed. 1135 (1936)); Vacek v. United States Postal Serv., 447 F.3d 1248, 1250 (9th Cir. 2006).
Pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a party may challenge a claim for relief for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. A motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1) "may either attack the allegations of the complaint or may be made as a 'speaking motion' attacking the existence of subject matter jurisdiction in fact." Thornhill Pub. Co., Inc. v. Gen. Tel. & Electronics Corp., 594 F.2d 730, 733 (9th Cir. 1979) (citing Land v. Dollar, 330 U.S. 731, 735, 67 S.Ct. 1009, 91 L.Ed. 1209 (1947)). Thus, "[a] jurisdictional challenge under Rule 12(b)(1) may be made either on the face of the pleadings or by presenting extrinsic evidence." Warren v. Fox Family Worldwide, Inc., 328 F.3d 1136, 1139 (9th Cir. 2003) (citing White v. Lee, 227 F.3d 1214, 1242 (9th Cir. 2000)). The Ninth Circuit explained:
In a facial attack, the challenger asserts that the allegations contained in a complaint are insufficient on their face to invoke federal jurisdiction. By contrast, in a factual attack, the challenger disputes the truth of the allegations that, by themselves, would otherwise invoke federal jurisdiction.Safe Air for Everyone v. Meyer, 373 F.3d 1035, 1038 (9th Cir. 2004). On a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1), the standards that must be applied by the Court vary according to the nature of the jurisdictional challenge.
If a defendant presents a facial challenge to the Court's jurisdiction, the Court must presume the truth of the Plaintiff's factual allegations "and draw all reasonable inferences in his favor." Doe v. Holy, 557 F.3d 1066, 1073 (9th Cir. 2009); Savage v. Glendale Union High Sch. Dist. No. 205, 343 F.3d 1036, 1039 n.1 (9th Cir. 2003), cert. denied, 541 U.S. 1009, 124 S.Ct. 2067, 158 L.Ed.2d 618 (2004). The Court should not "assume the truth of legal conclusions merely because they are cast in the form of factual allegations." W. Mining Council v. Watt, 643 F.2d 618, 624 (9th Cir. 1981). However, the Court "may review evidence beyond the complaint without converting the motion to dismiss into a motion for summary judgment" when resolving a facial attack. Safe Air, 373 F.3d at 1039.
On the other hand, if a defendant presents a factual challenge to the Court's jurisdiction, the Court "may review any evidence, such as affidavits and testimony." McCarthy v. United States, 850 F.2d 558, 560 (9th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1052, 109 S.Ct. 1312, 103 L.Ed.2d 581 (1989); Warren, 328 F.3d at 1139. The Ninth Circuit explained: "Faced with a factual attack on subject matter jurisdiction, 'the trial court may proceed as it never could under 12(b)(6) or Fed. R. Civ. P. 56. No presumptive truthfulness attaches to plaintiff's allegations, and the existence of disputed material facts will not preclude the trial court from evaluating for itself the merits of jurisdictional claims.' " Thornhill Pub. Co., 594 F.2d at 734 (quoting Mortensen v. First Fed. Sav. & Loan Assoc., 549 F.2d 884, 891 (1977)). If a moving party presents a factual attack motion, "the party opposing the motion must furnish affidavits or other evidence necessary to satisfy its burden of establishing subject matter jurisdiction." Savage, 343 F.3d at 1039 n.2 (citing St. Clair v. City of Chico, 880 F.2d 199, 201 (9th Cir. 1989)); see also Assoc. of Am. Med. Colleges v. United States, 217 F.3d 770, 778-79 (9th Cir. 2000) (same). Thus, the burden of proof remains with a plaintiff, who has "an affirmative obligation to support jurisdictional allegations with proof." NewGen, LLC v. Safe Cig, LLC, 840 F.3d 606, 614 (9th Cir. 2016). III. Discussion and Analysis
Erasmus seeks to hold the defendants liable pursuant to Title III of the ADA and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. (Doc. 1 at 7-9.) Defendants seek dismissal of the complaint on several grounds, arguing: (1) the claim under the ADA is moot because the alleged violations were remedied; (2) the claim arising under the ADA fails because Erasmus has not plead a nexus between Defendants' website and physical office; (3) Erasmus lacks standing because she fails to plead an injury-in-fact; and (4) the Court should decline supplemental jurisdiction over the Unruh Act claim. (See Doc. 14-1.)
Because Defendants present evidence in support of the motion—including declarations from Allen Chien and Doug Larsen—it appears Defendants are making a factual attack. (See Docs. 14-2, 14-3.) However, Defendants also raise arguments related to the sufficiency of the allegations in the Complaint. (See Doc. 14-1 at 4-6.) Thus, Defendants raise both a factual attack and a facial attack under Rule 12(b)(1).
A. First Cause of Action: Violation of the ADA
Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in places of public accommodation, and provides: "No individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation." 42 U.S.C. § 12182(a). Discrimination by a "place of public accommodation" under the ADA includes "a failure to take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services," unless the entity shows such steps "would fundamentally alter" the nature of the goods, services, or privileges offered or "would result in an undue burden." 42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(2)(A)(iii).
To state a cognizable claim for a violation of Title III under the ADA, a plaintiff must allege: "(1) she is disabled within the meaning of the ADA; (2) the defendant is a private entity that owns, leases, or operates a place of public accommodation; and (3) the plaintiff was denied public accommodations by the defendant because of her disability." Molski v. M.J. Cable, Inc., 481 F.3d 724, 730 (9th Cir. 2007). A plaintiff need not show intentional discrimination to establish an ADA violation. Lentini v. California Ctr. for the Arts, Escondido, 370 F.3d 837, 846 (9th Cir. 2004).
1. Standing
Defendants contend Erasmus "failed to show standing" because she did not allege any injury in fact. (Doc. 14-1 at 7.) Because a plaintiff's standing is a "threshold question" in "determining the power of the court to entertain the suit," the Court addresses this argument first. See Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 498, 95 S.Ct. 2197, 45 L.Ed.2d 343 (1975); Stoianoff v. Montana, 695 F.2d 1214, 1223-1224 (9th Cir. 1983) ("Standing of parties to bring their claims is a threshold question a court must face before reaching the substantive issues of a case"); see also Langer v. HV Global Group, Inc., 2021 WL 4777092, at *2 (E.D. Cal. Oct. 12, 2021) (addressing the matter of standing for an ADA plaintiff first where the defendant challenged the complaint for both lack of standing and failure to state a claim).
To demonstrate standing, a plaintiff "must demonstrate that he has suffered an injury-in-fact, that the injury is traceable to the [defendant's] action, and that the injury can be redressed by a favorable decision." Chapman v. Pier 1 Imports (U.S.) Inc., 631 F.3d 939, 946 (9th Cir. 2011). An injury-in-fact is "an invasion of a legally protected interest which is (a) concrete and particularized, and (b) 'actual or imminent' not 'conjectural' or 'hypothetical.' " Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 560, 112 S.Ct. 2130, 119 L.Ed.2d 351 (1992) (omitting internal citations). An injury is concrete and particularized when a plaintiff suffers discrimination due to barriers at a place public accommodation and those barriers have deterred the plaintiff from returning. Doran v. 7-Eleven, 524 F.3d 1034, 1041 (9th Cir. 2008). A plaintiff suffers an "actual and imminent" injury under the ADA when he alleges "(1) that he visited an accommodation in the past; (2) that he was currently deterred from returning to the accommodation because of ADA violations; and (3) that he would return if the ADA violations were remedied." Id. (citing Molski v. Arby's Huntington Beach, 359 F. Supp. 2d 938, 947 (C.D. Cal. 2005)).
Furthermore, to establish standing for a claim of injunctive relief, as Erasmus seeks here, she "must demonstrate a 'real and immediate threat of repeated injury' in the future." Chapman, 631 F.3d at 946 (quoting Fortyune v. Am. Multi-Cinema, Inc., 364 F.3d 1075, 1081 (9th Cir. 2004)). The Ninth Circuit recognized a plaintiff seeking injunctive relief under the ADA can show a likelihood of future injury in one of two ways: (1) by showing she "intends to return to a noncompliant accommodation and is therefore likely to reencounter a discriminatory architectural barrier," or (2) by demonstrating "sufficient injury to pursue injunctive relief when discriminatory architectural barriers deter [her] from returning to a noncompliant accommodation." Id. at 950.
The ADA identifies "an extensive list of 'public accommodations," which includes "a variety of things as an inn, a restaurant, a theater, an auditorium, a bakery, a laundromat, a depot, a museum, a zoo, a nursery, a day care center, and a gymnasium." Weyer v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., 198 F.3d 1104, 1114 (9th Cir. 2000) (citing 42 U.S.C. § 12181(7)). Reviewing the places identified by the statute, the Ninth Circuit determined the phrase "places of public accommodation" includes "actual, physical places where goods or services are open to the public." Weyer, 198 F.3d at 1114. In addition, "some connection between the good or service complained of and an actual physical place" may suffice for purposes of standing under the ADA. Id. As the Court observed: the ADA "applies to the services of a place of public accommodation, not services in a place of public accommodation." Robles v. Domino's Pizza, LLC, 913 F.3d 898, 905 (9th Cir. 2019) (emphasis in original). When a plaintiff alleges "an ADA violation based on unequal access to a 'service' of a place of public accommodation, courts have held that a plaintiff must allege that there is a 'nexus' between the challenged service and the place of public accommodation." Nat'l Fed'n of the Blind v. Target Corp., 452 F.Supp.2d 946, 952 (N.D. Cal. 2006).
Following Weyer, courts throughout the Ninth Circuit have determined that websites—which are clearly not physical places—are not "[o]n their own, . . . places of public accommodation." Erasmus v. Ryan A. Dunlop, D.M.D., Inc., 2022 WL 2805961, at *5 (E.D. Cal. July 18, 2022); see also, e.g., Cullen v. Netflix, Inc., 880 F. Supp. 2d 1017, 1023-24 (N.D. Cal. 2012) ("The Netflix website is not 'an actual physical place' and therefore, under Ninth Circuit law, is not a place of public accommodation."); Langer v. Carvana, 2021 WL 4439096, at *3 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2021) ("On their own, websites are not places of public accommodation" [citation omitted]); Langer v. The American Automobile Assoc., Inc., 2022 WL 16838795, at *2 (S.D. Cal. Nov. 9, 2022) (same). However, because websites may be an offered service, "an ADA violation can arise out of the lack of accessibility of a website when there is a nexus between the website and the goods and services provided by a physical place of public accommodation." AAA, 2022 WL 16838795, at *2 (citing Robles, 913 F.3d at 905-06).
For example, in Robles, the Ninth Circuit considered the website and mobile application (app) of Domino's Pizza, which were not configured to allow use of screen-reading software to order pizza. Id., 913 F.3d at 902. The plaintiff, Guillermo Robles, was a blind man who "accesses the internet using screen-reading software, which vocalizes visual information on websites." Id. Domino's website and app allowed "customers to order pizzas and other products for at-home delivery or in-store pickup, and receive exclusive discounts." Id. Robles asserted that on at least two occasions, he attempted to order with Domino's Pizza, but he was unable to do so because the website and app were not designed "so his software could read them." Id. The Ninth Circuit observed:
The alleged inaccessibility of Domino's website and app impedes access to the goods and services of its physical pizza franchises—which are places of public accommodation. See 42 U.S.C. § 12181(7)(B) (listing a restaurant as a
covered "public accommodation"). Customers use the website and app to locate a nearby Domino's restaurant and order pizzas for at-home delivery or in-store pickup. This nexus between Domino's website and app and physical restaurants—which Domino's does not contest—is critical to our analysis.Id. at 905. The Court found it significant that "Domino's website and app facilitate access to the goods and services of a place of public accommodation—Domino's physical restaurants." Id. In addition, the Court noted the website and app were "two of the primary (and heavily advertised) means of ordering Domino's products to be picked up at or delivered from Domino's restaurants." Id. Because the website and app "connect customers to the goods and services of Domino's physical restaurants," the Court concluded the ADA applied to the company's website and app. Id. at 905-906. Given the allegations before the Court, the Ninth Circuit indicated it "need not decide whether the ADA covers the websites or apps of a physical place of public accommodation where their inaccessibility does not impede access to the goods and services of a physical location." Id. at 905 n.6.
Recently, this Court observed that "[d]espite the Ninth Circuit's silence on this issue, numerous California district courts have found no nexus where the complaint failed to plead that web-based barriers impeded the plaintiff from accessing or ordering goods or services from a physical location." Dunlop, 2022 WL 2805961, at *5 (considering whether there was a sufficient nexus between the website and physical location for the plaintiff to establish standing); see also Langer v. AAA, 2022 WL 16838795, at *3-4 (S.D. Cal. Nov. 9, 2022) (considering a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) and finding the plaintiff failed to state a claim where there was not a sufficient nexus alleged between the website and AAA's physical places); Gomez v. Miersch, 2022 WL 1271009, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 28, 2022) ("[t]he 'nexus' requirement under the ADA requires a plaintiff to allege that the website deterred him from taking advantage of the physical place of accommodation"); Gomez v. Corro, 2022 WL 1225258, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 26, 2022) (dismissing an ADA claim because the plaintiff did "not cite any authority within the Ninth Circuit holding that a plaintiff may bring a Title III ADA claim to challenge the inaccessibility of a website where the inability to access information on the website was the sole basis of the ADA claim — where the website information was the 'service' — and the website's inaccessibility did not separately impede access to the goods or services of the public accommodation"); Langer v. Carvana, 2021 WL 4439096, *3 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2021) (finding no nexus because plaintiff "has not pleaded that he was prevented from accessing any physical location or from ordering any products and/or services as a result of the alleged barriers on [defendant's] Website"); HV Global Grp., Inc., 2021 WL 4777092, at *2 ("as a service, a website is not a place of public accommodation without some nexus to a physical location where goods and services are offered to the public," and finding the plaintiff failed to establish standing without such a nexus).
In reviewing ADA cases, this Court previously acknowledged that "a minority of courts have held . . . ADA plaintiffs are not required to allege that the website prevented them from physically accessing the defendant's goods or services." Dunlop, 2022 WL 2805961, at *5. However, "the majority position among district courts in California" is clearly that a nexus is required for a plaintiff to establish standing or state a claim under the ADA." Id. Because the majority approach is "more consistent with Robles"—in which the Ninth Circuit indicated such a nexus was "critical to [its] analysis"—the Court follows the majority in requiring a plaintiff to plead a nexus between a website a physical office to establish standing. See id.; see also Robles, 913 F.3d at 905.
Previously, this Court addressed nearly identical allegations has those now challenged in Erasmus v. Ryan A. Dunlop, D.M.D., Inc. dba Better Life Center for Implant and General Dentistry, 2022 WL 2805961 (E.D. Cal. July 18, 2022). In Dunlop, Erasmus alleged she visited the website in July 2021 "to learn more about their services." Id., 2022 WL 2805961 at *6. Erasmus alleged she made "multiple attempts to access the Website using [her] mobile device," but the "video content on the Website lacked closed captioning which made her 'unable to fully understand and consume the video contents.' " Id. at **1, 6. Erasmus alleged she "experienced difficulty and discomfort in attempting to view the video 'Smile Restoration in Fresno' and, consequently, was deterred from further use of the website." Id. at *1 (internal quotation marks omitted). Erasmus asserted she would "return to the Website to avail herself of its goods and/or services and to determine compliance with the disability access laws once it is represented to her that [Defendant] and [the] Website are accessible." Id. The Court observed Erasmus did not allege she attempted "to order dental services from Defendant's physical office but was unable to do so." Id. at *6. In addition, Erasmus did not allege she "intended to visit Defendant's office and could not because the Website was inaccessible." Id. The Court concluded the allegations were insufficient for Erasmus to establish standing—or allege an injury under the ADA—because she did "not sufficiently allege a nexus between the Website and Defendant's physical office." Id. at *5. Therefore, the ADA claim was dismissed with leave to amend. Id. at *6.
The complaint now before the Court includes nearly identical to the allegations addressed in Dunlop. Erasmus asserts she visited the website of the Center in July 2021 and was "unable to fully understand and consume the contents of the videos" because the videos "lacked closed captioning." (Doc. 1 at 4, ¶¶ 16-17.) She alleges that "[b]y failing to provide an accessible website, the Defendants denied [her] full and equal access to the facilities privileges or advantages offered to their customers." (Id. at 5, ¶ 22.) Erasmus contends she was "deterred from returning to the website as a result of these prior experiences." (Id., ¶ 23.) Erasmus alleges that "[i]f the Website had been constructed equally accessible to all individuals, [she] would have been able to navigate the website and avail herself of its services." (Id., ¶ 25, emphasis added.) Significantly, as in Dunlop, Erasmus does not allege she intended to visit the Center or was unable to do so as result of the lack of video captions on the website. Instead, Erasmus indicates she would return to the website and, at most, contends she was deterred from use of the website's services. Further, Erasmus does not allege that the website offered goods or services for purchase, and thus fails to connect the website to services offered at the Center's physical place. Compare with Robles, 913 F.3d at 905.
Erasmus fails to allege a sufficient nexus between the website and the Center. See Dunlop, 2022 WL 2805961 at *6. Consequently, Erasmus did not carry the burden to allege facts sufficient to establish standing under the ADA. See id.; see also Miersch, 2022 WL 1271009 at *2 (find a plaintiff lacked standing and was "far from pleading a 'nexus' between any purported website inaccessibility and a place of accommodation" where he did not plead "the website . . . prevented him from locating (and taking advantage of) a physical place of accommodation, even as the website provides this information to those who are not visually impaired").
2. Mootness
Because the Court finds the allegations are insufficient to support a conclusion that Erasmus has standing under Title III, the Court declines to address the remaining challenges to the claim under the ADA, including the evidence submitted by Defendants to demonstrate the alleged ADA claim is now moot.
B. Second Cause of Action: Violation of the Unruh Act
Any violation of the ADA also is a violation of California's Unruh Civil Rights Act. Cal. Civ. Code § 51(f); see also Molski, 481 F.3d at 731 ("Any violation of the ADA necessarily constitutes a violation of the Unruh Act"). However, as discussed above, Erasmus fails to allege facts or present evidence sufficient to challenge the facial attack by Defendants to support the conclusion that she has standing for a claim under the ADA.
In general, "when federal claims are dismissed before trial . . . pendent state claims should also be dismissed." Religious Tech. Ctr. v. Wollersheim, 971 F.2d 364, 367-68 (9th Cir. 1992). Accordingly, the Court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law claim. See Sanford v. MemberWorks, Inc., 625 F.3d 550, 561 (9th Cir. 2010) (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3)); see also Scott v. Pasadena Unified Sch. Dist., 306 F.3d 646, 664 (9th Cir. 2002) (when a court dismisses a federal claim for lack of standing, the court "ha[s] no discretion to retain supplemental jurisdiction over [the plaintiff's] state law claims"); Strojnik v. Hotel Circle GL Holdings, LLC, 2019 WL 6212084, at *6 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 21, 2019) (declining to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the plaintiff's remaining state claims when his ADA claim failed for lack of standing). IV. Leave to Amend
Erasmus requests that if the Court grants the motion to dismiss, then leave to amend be granted. (Doc. 21 at 10.) Pursuant to Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, leave to amend "shall be freely given when justice so requires," bearing in mind "the underlying purpose of Rule 15 to facilitate decisions on the merits, rather than on the pleadings or technicalities." Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1127 (9th Cir. 2000) (en banc) (alterations, internal quotation marks omitted). When dismissing a complaint, "a district court should grant leave to amend even if no request to amend the pleading was made, unless it determines that the pleading could not possibly be cured by the allegation of other facts." Id. at 1130 (internal quotation marks omitted). Accordingly, leave to amend generally shall be denied only if allowing amendment would unduly prejudice the opposing party, cause undue delay, or be futile, or if the moving party has acted in bad faith. Leadsinger, Inc. v. BMG Music Publishing, 512 F.3d 522, 532 (9th Cir. 2008).
The Court has insufficient information to conclude that amendment is futile due to the sparsity of allegations in the complaint. Amendment would allow the Court to determine whether Erasmus suffered an injury-in-fact and may seek injunctive relief under the ADA. Further, it does not appear amendment would cause undue delay at this juncture. Accordingly, Erasmus will be given one opportunity to file an amended complaint that cures the deficiencies related to standing identified in this order. See Dunlop, 2022 WL 2805961 at *6 (dismissing the plaintiff's claim under the ADA with leave to amend); see also Strojnik v. Wickstrom Hospitality, LLC, 2020 WL 1467067, at *7 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 25, 2020) (granting leave to amend for the plaintiff to address deficiencies identified related to standing). V. Conclusion and Order
For the reasons set forth above, the Court ORDERS:
1. Defendants' motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(1) is GRANTED.If Plaintiff fails to file an amended complaint , the action will be dismissed for failure to prosecute and failure to obey the Court's order. IT IS SO ORDERED.
2. Plaintiff's complaint (Doc. 1) is DISMISSED with leave to amend.
3. Plaintiff SHALL file any First Amended Complaint within thirty days of the date of service of this order.