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Frequent filer targets Corner Taco in suit over access for the disabled

mark handler

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http://jacksonville.com/business/daily-briefs/2015-01-14/story/frequent-filer-targets-corner-taco-suit-over-access-disabled

Frequent filer targets Corner Taco in suit over access for the disabled

By Andrew Pantazi Wed, Jan 14, 2015 @ 11:54 am | updated Wed, Jan 14, 2015

A Jacksonville man who had filed a dozen lawsuits in the past six months alleging that businesses violated the Americans with Disabilities Act has filed a 13th, this one against Corner Taco, a food truck-turned-restaurant in Riverside’s Five Points.

Corner Taco’s owner said he wished Jason P. Clark had made his complaints known before filing a lawsuit.

Clark argued in court documents that the restaurant violates the ADA because he said he can’t get around the restaurant in his wheelchair without the help of an able-bodied friend.

Clark’s lawsuit asks the court to require the restaurant remedy such issues as uneven ground and the restaurant bar being too high. The suit specifically mentions a deficient patio.

Corner Taco owner Chris Dickerson said he wishes Clark would call him, so he could fix any problems if they exist.

However, he pointed out that his restaurant doesn’t have a patio, and it does have a ramp into the restaurant.

“I wish Mr. Clark had reached out to us,” Dickerson said. “I would’ve made every accommodation. I certainly want to be a welcoming place for all involved.”

Corner Taco took over the storefront at 818 Post St. from Gina’s Delicatessen, which had been there for 17 years. He said the only changes he made to the restaurant were topical, like a fresh coat of paint and new chairs.

“I fully thought it was up to code,” he said. “I still think we’re fully compliant. I’d appreciate an opportunity to make it right.”

Clark’s lawyer, Tara Demetriades, said he decided to start taking legal action against more businesses after an incident at a Jacksonville bar. He was suing it for ADA violations. He went back to the bar one day, according to a later lawsuit he filed, and an employee kicked him out because of his lawsuit.

After that, Demetriades said, he was afraid of telling businesses, like Corner Taco, that they were violating the law.

“It’s not something we have to do,” Demetriades said. “… Each of the establishments are in express violation of the extent of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

She said Clark doesn’t benefit financially if he wins the lawsuit.
 
Handler

Please track this one; will be interesting to see how the conflicting information for "patio" is resolved and whether Mr. Clark does get any financial benefit
 
California, please start over your embarrassing yourself with your ADA laws!

QUOTE from above: “I wish Mr. Clark had reached out to us,” Dickerson said. “I would’ve made every accommodation. I certainly want to be a welcoming place for all involved.”

In my eyes Mr. Dickerson made a statement that is golden and should have been adhered too, sounds like he would have made things right for the dude!

pc1
 
View attachment 1124

California, please start over your embarrassing yourself with your ADA laws!
Agree but this case is from Jacksonville, Florida not CA.I sure do not see a patio or anyplace to put one. The news photo showed a table and chairs on the sidewalk out front. If that is what the lawsuit is referring to then the simple fix is remove them.Defiantly should be tossed with damages awarde to the business owner to recoup his expense having to deal with this.View attachment 1124

/monthly_2015_01/572953d4b1ffc_cornertaco.jpg.16263e6e4c10b769513e4a5c35bb068c.jpg
 
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