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SAWHORSE
Some Mankato businesses settle disability lawsuits, some fight
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/some-mankato-businesses-settle-disability-lawsuits-some-fight/article_ae9dfb2c-5987-11e5-bef4-dfa349d7aa21.html
Sep 12, 2015
Mankato, MN — Local businesses sued earlier this year for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act are responding to the suits differently.
At least two businesses have had the civil case dropped, presumably after settling out of court with the Minneapolis attorney representing a disability advocacy group. The suits against Zanz Mexican Restaurant and Elite Steaks ‘N’ Chops have been dropped in recent months.
Meanwhile, other cases continue.
A settlement conference, meant to resolve a lawsuit without trial, has been scheduled for Nov. 18 in the civil case against Tav on the Ave.
None of the attorneys in these cases were willing to speak on the record. This is typical for cases in progress as well as those that have been settled. An agreement not to talk publicly about a settlement is one common condition.
At least eight Mankato businesses were sued in April and May by Disability Support Alliance and their attorney, Paul Hansmeier. The lawsuits alleged these businesses violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by having bathrooms, parking lots and eating areas that don’t accommodate people who use wheelchairs.
For example, it accused both Zanz and Elite Steaks ‘N’ Chops of having disabled parking spots that lack access aisles. This means a car could park next to them and box them in, according to the suits.
“In this event, they would be trapped outside of their car and unable to stow their wheelchairs until the other cars were moved,” one suit claims.
Even if they think they’re unfairly targeted by the suits, Mankato businesses are forced to choose between paying money to fight them in court or settling out of court — in essence rewarding people they disagree with.
A co-owner of Tav on the Ave, Patrick Person, said in June he’d rather go to jail than pay. His co-owner, Christopher Person, declined comment on the suit. Other Mankato business owners, too, are deciding how much money they want to spend fighting the suits on principle.
Meanwhile, the plaintiff’s lead attorney in these cases, Hansmeier, filed for bankruptcy in July.
He listed assets of about $1.1 million and liabilities of nearly $724,000, according to an article in the Star Tribune. He said the law firm he uses for the disability cases, called Class Justice, had $167,00 in gross income in the previous year. Filings show it’s now bringing in $21,500 a month with expenses of $13,930, according to the newspaper.
http://www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_news/some-mankato-businesses-settle-disability-lawsuits-some-fight/article_ae9dfb2c-5987-11e5-bef4-dfa349d7aa21.html
Sep 12, 2015
Mankato, MN — Local businesses sued earlier this year for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act are responding to the suits differently.
At least two businesses have had the civil case dropped, presumably after settling out of court with the Minneapolis attorney representing a disability advocacy group. The suits against Zanz Mexican Restaurant and Elite Steaks ‘N’ Chops have been dropped in recent months.
Meanwhile, other cases continue.
A settlement conference, meant to resolve a lawsuit without trial, has been scheduled for Nov. 18 in the civil case against Tav on the Ave.
None of the attorneys in these cases were willing to speak on the record. This is typical for cases in progress as well as those that have been settled. An agreement not to talk publicly about a settlement is one common condition.
At least eight Mankato businesses were sued in April and May by Disability Support Alliance and their attorney, Paul Hansmeier. The lawsuits alleged these businesses violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by having bathrooms, parking lots and eating areas that don’t accommodate people who use wheelchairs.
For example, it accused both Zanz and Elite Steaks ‘N’ Chops of having disabled parking spots that lack access aisles. This means a car could park next to them and box them in, according to the suits.
“In this event, they would be trapped outside of their car and unable to stow their wheelchairs until the other cars were moved,” one suit claims.
Even if they think they’re unfairly targeted by the suits, Mankato businesses are forced to choose between paying money to fight them in court or settling out of court — in essence rewarding people they disagree with.
A co-owner of Tav on the Ave, Patrick Person, said in June he’d rather go to jail than pay. His co-owner, Christopher Person, declined comment on the suit. Other Mankato business owners, too, are deciding how much money they want to spend fighting the suits on principle.
Meanwhile, the plaintiff’s lead attorney in these cases, Hansmeier, filed for bankruptcy in July.
He listed assets of about $1.1 million and liabilities of nearly $724,000, according to an article in the Star Tribune. He said the law firm he uses for the disability cases, called Class Justice, had $167,00 in gross income in the previous year. Filings show it’s now bringing in $21,500 a month with expenses of $13,930, according to the newspaper.