71 replies to this topic

[tsukiji]

Well, you know who else will get screwed -- whoever owns the building. Because unless the new business that takes over the building is absolutely of no interest to this, ummm, lady, then it's just another suit waiting to happen.

It's just a sad reflection of society that we can't all strive to be reasonable. What's next -- a person who's had a transplant and on immunosuppressants or has AIDS suing because businesses are too cold or don't have HEPA filters, exposing them to higher probability of catching a disease? Where does all this end?

We all do the best we can but sometimes life just sucks.

[Darth Lefty]

Can I sue them for making me unable to get my Squeeze Inn fix at the location to which I have a severe emotional attachment? Or if they don't reopen, can I sue because she's taken away my Squeeze?

You're too skinny to be a credible cheeseburger addiction poster child

I hear the new place will be called the Squeezed Out

[slowthegrowth]

Her lawsuit claims that she "suffered embarrassment and humiliation".

I am embarassed and humilated that another human being has caused an honest local business owner to suffer.

Where's my lawyer?!!!???

[folsombound]

Well, at least the lawyer and the "plaintiff" (is that better than gold-digger?) will not see any money out of this. I'm sure they will find somebody else to screw over, though.

I'm betting they will get a settlement of at least $10,000. That seems to be the magic number to make these suits go away.

[The Average Joe]

She and her lawyer are pieces of societal crap. Not because of her disability, because of their actions costing the owner thousands of dollars. A better solution would be to have a list of non-ada compliant businesses that handicapped people could boycott if they so chose. Free market at work. The current system is legal extortion by a few slimeball attorneys and their all to willing "victims."

I was embarrassed...I was embarrassed... give me money. Boo freakin hoo for you. GET OVER IT.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Any lawyers around here? Can we sue her for emotional distress caused by her causing the place to close?

[folsombound]

There are a lot of law firms in California that do nothing but this type of litigation. They go out and find the violations and then have the disabled person that they keep handy for the purpose file the complaint. My business had one last year and we settled for $10,000 and did some repairs that we were not even aware of. Then we brought in and architect to do a complete study and report on the property to find out if anyone else could sue us and what it would take to correct any deficiencies. End result, the $10,000 was chump change as we are now into about $125K of updating and corrections on issues that we should not even have to consider if reasonableness were a factor.
ADA and the additional requirements that California has added to it (Unruh civil rights bill) are killing business and making a lot of sleazy lawyers rich.

[ducky]

It just keeps getting harder and harder to own a restaurant.

Vellanoweth is suing the restaurant that gave him the "mystery" drink after he had already had three martinis and before he got in a vehicle and killed four people.

http://www.sacbee.co...ry/2013605.html

[bordercolliefan]

I can sympathize with handicapped individuals, but why should they receive money from these lawsuits. Is this lady more important than every other handicapped patron of this or any other business? I don't feel it is fair for owners to lose their businesses over these types of lawsuits. There has to be a better way. I think a good process would be to have a system, where if a complaint is filed against a business, an individual could be appointed to visit the business in question and find out if a solution is possible or if the complaint is viable or not. Business owners should be given ample time to find funds and comply with ADA standards.

I agree with you. There should be some level of proportionality: if the business is doing well and a few minor alterations can be made for say, $5,000, the business should be required to do them. If it's a small business that doesn't make a ton of money... maybe in an old building where ADA compliance is just not practical... then the business should not be required to lay out huge sums.

This is a case where the rights of a few disabled people are inflicting a lot of suffering on well-meaning small business owners.

[bordercolliefan]

saw this on the news last night. turns out that lady doesn't even have wheel chair ramps at her own house. what a crock of bs. someone should sue this lady for causing us distress about not being able to get future burgers at squeeze in

Thinking about this mean-spirited lawsuit, and also about our irresponsible legislators, I'm beginning to think there is a place for mob rule... Someone should go demonstrate in front of this woman's house and let her know what the general public thinks about her tactics. And, someone should go lock the door of the legislature and tell them no food is coming in until they balance the budget.

[mylo]

Thinking about this mean-spirited lawsuit, and also about our irresponsible legislators, I'm beginning to think there is a place for mob rule... Someone should go demonstrate in front of this woman's house and let her know what the general public thinks about her tactics. And, someone should go lock the door of the legislature and tell them no food is coming in until they balance the budget.

Just pour sand on her pathway. What's she gonna do?

[bordercolliefan]

Just pour sand on her pathway. What's she gonna do?

You are so funny!!!

[legofamily]

Just pour sand on her pathway. What's she gonna do?

Your comments always bring a smile to my face.

[legofamily]

It just keeps getting harder and harder to own a restaurant.

Vellanoweth is suing the restaurant that gave him the "mystery" drink after he had already had three martinis and before he got in a vehicle and killed four people.

http://www.sacbee.co...ry/2013605.html

Yeah I cannot believe this guy has the gall to sue the restaurant after he is responsible for killing four people. He was already drinking before he even went to that restaurant. He has the nerve to say he has suffered. Yeah right. How about the family who will never be able to get their family members back. What a jerk.