Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_03-cv-03502/USCOURTS-cand-5_03-cv-03502-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans w/ Disabilities Act (ADA)

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Consent Decree And Order

SIDNEY J. COHEN, ESQ., State Bar No. 39023

SIDNEY J. COHEN PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

427 Grand Avenue

Oakland, CA 94610

Telephone: (510) 893-6682

Attorneys for Plaintiffs

CONNIE ARNOLD and

CHRISTINE FITZGERALD

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CONNIE ARNOLD and

CHRISTINE FITZGERALD

Plaintiffs,

v. 

JOHNNY ROCKETS RESTAURANT; 

J. R. WEST, INC; THE CITY OF SAN

JOSE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY;

F.C. PAVILION,LLC; PRIVATE ENTITY

DOES 2 through 25; and GOVERNMENT

ENTITY DOES 26 through 50, Inclusive, 

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. C 03-3502 HRL

Civil Rights

CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER

Case 5:03-cv-03502-HRL Document 53 Filed 08/17/05 Page 1 of 9
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Consent Decree And Order -1-

1. SUMMARY OF PLAINTIFF’S ALLEGATIONS

Plaintiffs filed this action against the above named Defendants to enforce provisions

of Title III of the Americans With Disabilities Act Of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et. seq., California

Government Code section 4450, California Health and Safety Code Section 19955 et. seq.,

California Civil Code sections 51, 54 and 54.1, and California Code Of Federal Regulations, Title

24. Plaintiffs, who are physically disabled persons within the meaning of both state and federal

civil rights laws and statutes and who require the use of wheelchairs for mobility, allege that this

case involves the denial of disabled accessible “paths of travel,” entrances, restrooms, seating,

signage, and related facilities to Plaintiffs and other disabled persons at the Johnny Rockets

restaurant at 150 South First Street, San Jose, California.. Plaintiffs allege that they were denied

equal protection of the law and were denied Civil Rights under both California law and federal law,

all as more particularly set forth in the Complaint on file in the action, which Complaint is

incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in full. Plaintiffs allege that they were denied their

rights to full and equal access at the restaurant because it was not, and is not, properly accessible

to disabled persons such as Plaintiffs who use wheelchairs. Plaintiffs’ lawsuit seeks injunctive

relief to require Defendants to make the restaurant and its facilities accessible to disabled persons

and to ensure that any disabled person who visits the restaurant and its facilities will be provided

accessible entry, proper accessible facilities, and proper access to usable sanitary facilities.

Plaintiffs’ lawsuit also seeks recovery of damages for personal injuries. Plaintiffs’ lawsuit also

seeks recovery of damages for discriminatory experiences at the restaurant. Finally, Plaintiffs’

lawsuit seeks recovery of reasonable attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and costs.

2. DEFENDANTS’ DENIALS AND NO ADMISSION OF LIABILITY

Defendants deny Plaintiffs’ allegations and, by entering into this Consent Decree

And Order, in no way admit to any liability whatsoever. In this regard, the parties enter into this

Consent Decree And Order to amicably resolve all aspects of the Lawsuit without the need for

further protracted litigation and to resolve all allegations raised in the Complaint on file herein. The

parties agree that resolution of these matters without further litigation is in the public interest and

that entry of this Order is the most appropriate means of resolving these matters. Accordingly, they

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Consent Decree And Order -2-

agree to the entry of this Order with respect to the matters covered herein without trial or further

adjudication of any issues of fact or law.

3. JURISDICTION AND VENUE

 This Court has jurisdiction over the public accommodations named in this action

pursuant to 28 USC 1331 for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USC

12101 et seq. Pursuant to pendant jurisdiction, attendant and related causes of action, arising from

the same facts are also brought under California law, including but not limited to violations of

California Government Code 4450, Health & Safety Code 19955 et seq., including 19959;

California Code of Regulations, Title 24; and California Civil Code sections 51, 54, and 54.1.

Under the doctrine of supplemental jurisdiction, this Court has jurisdiction over

Plaintiffs' claims arising under California state law.

Venue is proper in the Northen District of California, the judicial district in which

the claims have arisen, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. section 1391(b).

WHEREFORE, the parties hereby agree and stipulate to the Court's entry of this

Consent Decree And Order, which provides as follows:

4. SETTLEMENT OF ON-GOING LITIGATION

This Consent Decree And Order shall be a full, complete, and final disposition and

settlement of all of Plaintiffs’ claims that have arisen out of the Complaint with respect to the

Lawsuit. 

The Court shall retain jurisdiction of this action to enforce the provisions of this

Consent Decree And Order for three (3) years from the date the Court enters this Consent Decree

And Order or until dismissal of the Lawsuit with prejudice.

5. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

 Defendant J. R. West, Inc. shall perform the tasks and injunctive relief work set

forth in Exhibit 1 hereto, which Exhibit 1 is incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in full,

in accordance with the standards and specifications of The Americans With Disabilities Act

Administrative Guidelines (ADAAG) and Title 24-2 of the California Code of Regulations.

Defendant J. R. West, Inc. shall perform said tasks and perform all such injunctive relief work by

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Consent Decree And Order -3-

no later than November 24, 2005. 

Within five (5) days of the completion of all the tasks and work set forth in Exhibit

1 to this Consent Decree And Order, Defendant J. R. West, Inc. shall provide Plaintiffs’ attorney

with written notice that Defendant J. R. West, Inc. has fully completed all such tasks and work.

If Plaintiffs determine that Defendant J. R. West, Inc. is in violation of the

requirements of this paragraph 5 and/or Exhibit 1, Plaintiff shall provide facsimile notice to

Defendants’ counsel setting forth the nature of the violation[s]. Plaintiffs’ and Defendants’ counsel

thereafter shall meet and confer within seven (7) days from the date of transmission of said

facsimile notice in an effort to resolve the matter. If they are unable to do so, any party thereafter

may submit the matter to the Court for resolution.

6. DAMAGES AND ATTORNEY FEES, 

LITIGATION EXPENSES, AND COSTS

Defendant J. R. West, Inc. shall pay to Plaintiffs the sum of $61,250 and Defendant

F.C. Pavilion LLC shall pay to Plaintiffs the sum of $2,500, for a total of $63,750, for all

damages of Plaintiffs (including but not limited to personal injuries) and all Attorney’s fees,

litigation expenses, and costs of Plaintiffs. The payments totaling $63,750 are to be made payable

to “Sidney J. Cohen Professional Corporation, in trust for Connie Arnold and Christine 

Fitzgerald, ” are to provided to and received by Sidney J. Cohen Professional Corporation , 427

Grand Avenue, Oakland, Ca. 94610 no later than the dates set forth in A and B below, and are to

be made in installments as set forth in A and B below. Upon receipt and clearance of the $30,000

amount in Plaintiffs’ counsel’s trust account, Plaintiffs’ counsel shall distribute Ms. Arnold’s

damages directly to her special needs trust and Ms. Fitzgerald’s damages directly to her.

A. Payments by Defendant J. R. West, Inc.:

 August 15, 2005: $30,000

September 15, 2005: $ 3,500

October 15, 2005: $ 3,500

November 15, 2005: $ 3,500

December 15, 2005: $ 3,500 

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Consent Decree And Order -4-

January 15, 2006: $ 3,500

February 15, 2006: $ 3,500

March 15, 2006: $ 3,500

April 15, 2006: $ 3,500

May 15, 2006: $ 3,250

If any payment required to be made by J. R. West, Inc. is not provided to and

received by Sidney J. Cohen Professional Corporation, 427 Grand Avenue, Oakland California

94610 by the due date, Plaintiffs’ counsel shall provide facsimile notice to Defendants’ counsel that

payment has not been provided by the due date. If any such payment is not thereafter provided to

and received by Sidney J. Cohen Professional Corporation, 427 Grand Avenue, Oakland California

94610 within three (3) business days from the date of transmission of the facsimile notice, then 1)

the whole remaining principal not paid and to be paid by J. R. West, Inc. shall become immediately

due and payable and thereafter shall accrue interest until paid at the legal rate, which presently is

ten percent (10%) per annum, and 2) Plaintiffs may enter Judgment against Defendant J. R. West,

Inc. for the entire balance due without further Notice to Defendants.

B. Payment by Defendant F.C. Pavilion LLC

May 15, 2006: $ 2,500

7. DISMISSAL OF ACTION

Plaintiffs shall dismiss the Lawsuit against Defendants with prejudice within ten

(10) days of the performance of all of Defendants’ obligations set forth in this Consent Decree And

Order. 

 8. MUTUAL RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542

Except for all obligations required in this Consent Decree And Order, each of the

parties to this Consent Decree And Order, on behalf of each, their respective agents,

representatives, predecessors, successors, heirs, partners and assigns, releases and forever

discharges each other Party and all officers, directors, shareholders, subsidiaries, joint venturers,

stockholders, partners, parent companies, employees, agents, attorneys, insurance carriers, heirs,

predecessors, and representatives of each other Party, from all claims, demands, damages, actions,

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and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, presently known or unknown, arising out of or in

any way connected with the Lawsuit.

Each of the parties to this Consent Decree And Order understands and agrees that

there is a risk and possibility that, subsequent to the execution of this Consent Decree and Order,

any or all of them will incur, suffer, or experience some further loss or damage with respect to the

Lawsuit which are unknown or unanticipated at the time this Consent Decree And Order is signed.

Except for all obligations required in this Consent Decree And Order, the parties intend that this

Consent Decree apply to all such further loss with respect to the Lawsuit, except those caused by

the parties subsequent to the execution of this Consent Decree. Therefore, except for all obligations

required in this Consent Decree, this Consent Decree shall apply to and cover any and all claims,

demands, actions and causes of action by the parties to this Consent Decree And Order with respect

to the Lawsuit, whether the same are known, unknown or hereafter discovered or ascertained, and

the provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code are hereby expressly waived. Section

1542 provides as follows:

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO

CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR

SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF

EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM

MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT

WITH THE DEBTOR.

9. ENTIRE CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER

This Consent Decree And Order and its Exhibit constitutes the entire agreement

on the matters raised herein, and no other statement, promise, or agreement, either written or oral,

made by any of the parties or agents of any of the parties, that is not contained in this written

Consent Decree And Order and Exhibit shall be enforceable regarding the matters raised herein.

10. CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER BINDING ON PARTIES 

This Consent Decree And Order shall be binding on Plaintiffs and Defendants in

this action and any successor in interest to Plaintiffs and Defendants. Each Party shall notify

each such successor in interest of the existence and terms of this Consent Decree And Order.

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Consent Decree And Order -6-

11. TERM OF THE CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER

This Consent Decree And Order shall be in full force and effect for a period of three

(3) years after the date of entry of this Consent Decree And Order or until Dismissal of the Lawsuit

with prejudice. The Court shall retain jurisdiction of this action to enforce this Consent Decree And

Order.

12. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS AND “HOLD” ON LITIGATION 

AGAINST DEFENDANTS CITY OF SAN JOSE REDEVELOPMENT

AGENCY AND F.C. PAVILION, LLC

Plaintiffs assert that Defendants City of San Jose Redevelopment Agency and F.C.

Pavilion, LLC are jointly and severally liable with Defendant J.R. West, Inc. for the obligations set

forth in this Consent Decree And Order that J.R. West, Inc. has agreed to perform. Defendants City

of San Jose Redevelopment Agency and F.C. Pavilion, LLC assert that they are not so jointly and

severally liable. In this regard, the Plaintiffs and Defendants City of San Jose Redevelopment

Agency and F.C. Pavilion, LLC agree that the litigation between them shall be on hold so long as

Defendant J. R. West, Inc. performs the obligations required of it in this Consent Decree And Order

and that Plaintiffs reserve their right to apply to the Court to place this lawsuit on the active

calendar against Defendants City of San Jose Redevelopment Agency and F.C. Pavilion, LLC in

the event that Defendant J. R. West, Inc. does not perform the obligations required of it in this

Consent Decree And Order.

13. SEVERABILITY

If any term of this Consent Decree And Order is determined by any court to be

unenforceable, the remaining terms of this Consent Decree And Order shall nonetheless remain in

full force and effect.

14. COUNTERPARTS

This Consent Decree And Order may be signed in counter parts by the Parties and

shall be as valid and binding on each Party as if fully executed all on one copy.

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Consent Decree And Order -7-

15. FACSIMILE SIGNATURES

Facsimile signatures shall be as valid and binding on each Party as an original 

signature.

16. SIGNATORIES BIND PARTIES

Each signatory on behalf of each party represents that he or she is authorized to

bind each such party to this Consent Decree And Order.

Dated: 8/10/05 SIDNEY J. COHEN

PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION

/s/ Sidney J. Cohen

 

Sidney J. Cohen, Attorney for Plaintiffs 

 

Dated: 8/10/05 LAW OFFICES OF PERRY ROSHANZAMIR

/s/ Perry Roshan Zamir

___________________________________

Perry Roshan Zamir, Attorney for Defendant

Johnny Rockets Restaurant and J. R. West,

Inc.

Dated: 7/22/05 OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

/s/ Michael R Groves Angelina Nedrow

 

MichaelR.Groves,AngeliqueGaetaNedrow

Attorneys for Defendant City Of San Jose

Redevelopment Agency

Dated: 8/10/05 ROPERS, MAJESKI, KOHN & BENTLEY

/s/ John S. Simonson

 

John S. Simonson, Attorneys for Defendant

F.C. Pavilion, LLC

Pursuant to stipulation, and for good cause shown, IT IS SO ORDERED.

____________________________________

Howard R. Lloyd

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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