Opinion
2:20-cv-00494-RGK-KS
06-08-2021
Brain Whitaker v. Emilia M. Rodriguez et al
Present: The Honorable R. GARY KLAUSNER, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
CIVIL MINUTES - GENERAL
Proceedings: (IN CHAMBERS) Order Re: Defendant Old Town Restaurant, LLC's Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 51]
I. INTRODUCTION
On January 17, 2020, Brian Whitaker ("Plaintiff') filed a Complaint against Emilia M. Rodriguez and Old Town Restaurant, LLC ("Defendants"), alleging claims for violation of (1) the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq. (2) California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, Cal. Civ. Code §§ 51-53. The Court subsequently declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiffs Unruh Act claim, (see ECF No. 11), and dismissed that claim. Plaintiffs ADA claim arises from certain barriers to accessibility that he encountered when he visited Defendants' restaurant in August of 2019.
Presently before the Court is Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment ("Motion") (ECF No. 51). For the reasons that follow, the Couture DISMISSES Plaintiffs ADA claim as moot and DENIES the Defendants' Motion as moot.
II. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
The following is undisputed.
Plaintiff is substantially limited in his ability to walk, suffers from a C-4 spinal cord injury, and uses a wheelchair for mobility. (Compl.¶1, ECF No. 1).
Defendant Old Town Restaurant, LLC. owns COD. Seafood House and Raw Bar ("Restaurant") located at 8408 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, California. Plaintiff alleges that he visited the Restamant in August 2019 and encountered various barriers to accessibility when he did.
Plaintiff now concedes that all barriers that he allegedly encountered at the Restaurant have been remedied. (PL's Resp. to Def's Mot. for Surnrn. J. at 2, ECF No. 52).
III. JUDICIAL STANDARD
"A case becomes moot-and therefore no longer a 'Case' or 'Controversy' for purposes of Article III-'when the issues presented are no longer "live" or the parties lack a legally cognizable interest in the outcome.'" Already, LLC v. Nike, Inc., 568 U.S. 85, 91 (2013) (quoting Murphy v. Hunt, 455 U.S. 478, 481 (1982) (per curiam).
IV.
DISCUSSION
Defendants move for surnmaiy judgment on the grounds that Plaintiffs ADA claim has been rendered moot by the fact that Defendants have remedied all the barriers alleged in the Complaint. For the reasons that follow, the Court concludes that Plaintiff s ADA claim is moot and therefore dismisses this case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
The only remedy available for a violation of the ADA under a private right of action is injunctive relief. See 42 U.S.C. § 12188(a). Here, in his one-sentence response brief. Plaintiff states: "As Plaintiff indicated during the Parties' meet and confer, Plaintiff does not dispute that the barriers at the Restaurant alleged in the Complaint have now been removed." (PL's Resp. to Def's Mot. for Surnm. J. at 2). Accordingly, the controversy alleged in the complaint is no longer live and there is no case or controversy before the Court for piuposes of Article III. The Court therefore DISMISSES Plaintiff s ADA claim as moot.
V. CONCLUSION
In accordance with the foregoing, the Comt DISMISSES Plaintiff s ADA claim as moot and DENIES Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment as moot.
IT IS SO ORDERED.