mark handler
SAWHORSE
Businesses Target of Possible ADA Lawsuits
VIDEO ON WEBSITE
http://www.khsltv.com/content/localnews/story/Corning-Businesses-Target-of-Possible-ADA-Lawsuits/dkruSN9p7Uqdp_zT3H_Iqw.cspx
Updated: 8/03
Another group of North State businesses has been targeted by lawyers threatening to sue them if they don't bring their businesses up to federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
"Most of the changes won't be bad, it is the 65 hundred dollar shakedown that is really unacceptable," Corning Auto Center owner Rick King said.
King says he thought the letter claiming he was violating ADA laws was a scam until he called some lawyers who told him it wasn't the case.
They told him the letter was from one of a handful of attorney's who are making their way through the state targeting ADA violators and demanding businesses fix the problems and pay them thousands of dollars in settlements to avoid lawsuits.
King initially thought he wasn't required to have a handicapped parking space because his shop was built before the ADA rules were created, but he learned the hard way that isn't the case.
"I would have been happy to put in handicapped parking if someone had suggested it even, or one of my customers suggested it, but once they come give you this letter that is not an option, you will pay them," King said.
King's business was just one of six in corning that received almost identical letters from James Mason addressing the parking issue.
In the letters, the San Diego-based attorney says he represents Duane Sceper, listed in the letter as a potential disabled customer, though Sceper apparently lives in Hayfork, 97 miles away.
"He hit all of these parts and he's got whatever it took to write that letter, and about $10 worth of postage. That is about what they've got invested," Corning business owner John Oliveira said.
All of the businesses Action News spoke with said they had never considered adding the spots. Some, like King, said they thought they were grandfathered in because their buildings were built before the ADA regulations were created in 1990. Others said they had never had anyone ask about them or have a problem finding a safe spot.
"When I bought the building it wasn't here and it never even entered my mind. Now it came to my attention so yeah, we'll put one in," Oliveira said.
King says he sympathizes with those who ADA rules were created to protect. What he's really upset about is the lawyers who he believes are using the rules to make money.
"You are going to pay them what they want to sell them for, or if you want to fight it you are going to pay them more,” King said.
We tried to contact Mr. Mason Friday afternoon, but have not received a response.
VIDEO ON WEBSITE
http://www.khsltv.com/content/localnews/story/Corning-Businesses-Target-of-Possible-ADA-Lawsuits/dkruSN9p7Uqdp_zT3H_Iqw.cspx
Updated: 8/03
Another group of North State businesses has been targeted by lawyers threatening to sue them if they don't bring their businesses up to federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
"Most of the changes won't be bad, it is the 65 hundred dollar shakedown that is really unacceptable," Corning Auto Center owner Rick King said.
King says he thought the letter claiming he was violating ADA laws was a scam until he called some lawyers who told him it wasn't the case.
They told him the letter was from one of a handful of attorney's who are making their way through the state targeting ADA violators and demanding businesses fix the problems and pay them thousands of dollars in settlements to avoid lawsuits.
King initially thought he wasn't required to have a handicapped parking space because his shop was built before the ADA rules were created, but he learned the hard way that isn't the case.
"I would have been happy to put in handicapped parking if someone had suggested it even, or one of my customers suggested it, but once they come give you this letter that is not an option, you will pay them," King said.
King's business was just one of six in corning that received almost identical letters from James Mason addressing the parking issue.
In the letters, the San Diego-based attorney says he represents Duane Sceper, listed in the letter as a potential disabled customer, though Sceper apparently lives in Hayfork, 97 miles away.
"He hit all of these parts and he's got whatever it took to write that letter, and about $10 worth of postage. That is about what they've got invested," Corning business owner John Oliveira said.
All of the businesses Action News spoke with said they had never considered adding the spots. Some, like King, said they thought they were grandfathered in because their buildings were built before the ADA regulations were created in 1990. Others said they had never had anyone ask about them or have a problem finding a safe spot.
"When I bought the building it wasn't here and it never even entered my mind. Now it came to my attention so yeah, we'll put one in," Oliveira said.
King says he sympathizes with those who ADA rules were created to protect. What he's really upset about is the lawyers who he believes are using the rules to make money.
"You are going to pay them what they want to sell them for, or if you want to fight it you are going to pay them more,” King said.
We tried to contact Mr. Mason Friday afternoon, but have not received a response.