LAFAYETTE – A Caddo Parish man alleges that a Shreveport auto repair shop has discriminated against him by failing to provide equal and safe access to its property.
James Bledsoe filed a complaint on Dec. 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC, doing business as Firestone Complete Auto Care, citing the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on June 23, 2016, he visited defendant's establishment and during his visit, he experienced serious difficulty entering the property and accessing the goods and utilizing the services therein. As a result, he alleges he was deprived of equal enjoyment of the goods, services, programs, and activities offered at the property. The plaintiff holds Bridgestone Retail Operations LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to adequately maintain the accessible routes to ensure that they are free of barriers and obstructions and failed to take necessary steps or make reasonable modifications to its policies and/or procedures.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an order directing defendant to alter the property to make it accessible to and useable by individuals with mobility disabilities, attorneys’ fees, costs and such other relief as it deems necessary, just and proper. He is represented by Andrew D. Bizer, Garret S. DeReus and Marc P. Florman of Bizer & DeReus LLC in New Orleans.