Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01647/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-01647-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 446
Nature of Suit: Americans with Disabilities Act - Other
Cause of Action: 42:12101 Americans with Disabilities Act

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Consent Decree and [Proposed] Order: 

Case No. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

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LAW OFFICES OF

PAUL L. REIN 200 LAKESIDE DR., SUITE A

OAKLAND, CA 94612-3503 

(510) 832-5001

PAUL L. REIN, Esq. (SBN 43053) 

JULIE OSTIL, Esq. (SBN 215202) 

ANN WINTERMAN, Esq. (SBN 222257) 

LAW OFFICES OF PAUL L. REIN 

200 Lakeside Dr., Suite A 

Oakland, CA 94612 

(510) 832-5001 

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

ANDI MILLARD 

CRIS C. VAUGHAN, Esq. 

VAUGHAN & ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE 

6207 Walnut Street, Suite 800 

Loomis, CA 95650 

(916) 660-9401 

 

Attorney for Defendants 

BIG COUNTRY INN; MERCHANT VALLEY 

CORPORATION dba BEST WESTERN BIG 

COUNTRY INN; MAHMOOD AND AMINA 

MERCHANT AS TRUSTEES FOR THE MERCHANT 

FAMILY TRUST 

 . UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

ANDI MILLARD

Plaintiff, 

v. 

BIG COUNTRY INN; MERCHANT 

VALLEY CORPORATION dba 

BEST WESTERN BIG COUNTRY 

INN; MAHMOOD AND AMINA 

MERCHANT AS TRUSTEES FOR 

THE MERCHANT FAMILY 

TRUST; and DOES 1-10, Inclusive, 

 Defendants. 

CASE NO. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

Civil Rights

CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER 

CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER

 1. Plaintiff ANDI MILLARD, filed a Complaint in this action on November 14, 

2007, to obtain recovery of damages for her discriminatory experiences, denial of access, and 

denial of her civil rights, and to enforce provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 

Case 1:07-cv-01647-OWW -GSA Document 18 Filed 07/28/08 Page 1 of 7
Consent Decree and [Proposed] Order: 

Case No. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

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LAW OFFICES OF

PAUL L. REIN 200 LAKESIDE DR., SUITE A

OAKLAND, CA 94612-3503 

(510) 832-5001

1990 ("ADA"), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., and California civil rights laws against Defendants, 

BIG COUNTRY INN; MERCHANT VALLEY CORPORATION dba BEST WESTERN BIG 

COUNTRY INN; MAHMOOD AND AMINA MERCHANT AS TRUSTEES FOR THE 

MERCHANT FAMILY TRUST, relating to the condition their public accommodations as of 

Plaintiff’s visit of April 16, 2007, and continuing. Plaintiff has alleged that Defendants 

violated Title III of the ADA and sections 51, 52, 54, 54.1, 54.3 and 55 of the California Civil 

Code, and sections 19955 et seq., of the California Health and Safety Code by failing to 

provide full and equal access to their facilities at the Best Western Big Country Inn located at 

25020 West Dorris Ave., Coalinga, California. 

 2. Defendants BIG COUNTRY INN; MERCHANT VALLEY CORPORATION 

dba BEST WESTERN BIG COUNTRY INN; MAHMOOD AND AMINA MERCHANT AS 

TRUSTEES FOR THE MERCHANT FAMILY TRUST, deny the allegations in the Complaint 

and by entering into this Consent Decree and Order do not admit liability to any of the 

allegations in Plaintiff’s Complaint filed in this action. The parties hereby enter into this 

Consent Decree and Order for the purpose of resolving this lawsuit without the need for 

protracted litigation, and without the admission of any liability. 

JURISDICTION:

 3. The parties to this Consent Decree agree that the Court has jurisdiction of this 

matter pursuant to 28 USC §1331 for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act 

of 1990, 42 USC 12101 et seq. and pursuant to supplemental jurisdiction for alleged violations 

of California Health & Safety Code §19955 et seq., including §19959; Title 24 California Code 

of Regulations; and California Civil Code §§51; 52; 54; 54.1; §54.3; and 55. 

 4. In order to avoid the costs, expense, and uncertainty of protracted litigation, the 

parties to this Consent Decree agree to entry of this Order to resolve all claims regarding 

injunctive relief raised in the Complaint filed with this Court. Accordingly, they agree to the 

entry of this Order without trial or further adjudication of any issues of fact or law concerning 

Plaintiff’s claims for injunctive relief. 

Case 1:07-cv-01647-OWW -GSA Document 18 Filed 07/28/08 Page 2 of 7
Consent Decree and [Proposed] Order: 

Case No. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

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LAW OFFICES OF

PAUL L. REIN 200 LAKESIDE DR., SUITE A

OAKLAND, CA 94612-3503 

(510) 832-5001

 WHEREFORE, the parties to this Consent Decree hereby agree and stipulate to 

the Court’s entry of this Consent Decree and Order, which provides as follows: 

SETTLEMENT OF INJUNCTIVE RELIEF: 

 5. This Order shall be a full, complete, and final disposition and settlement of 

Plaintiff’s claims against Defendants for injunctive relief that have arisen out of the subject 

Complaint. The parties agree that there has been no admission or finding of liability or 

violation of the ADA and/or California civil rights laws, and this Consent Decree and Order 

should not be construed as such. 

 6. The parties agree and stipulate that the corrective work will be performed in 

compliance with the standards and specifications for disabled access as set forth in the 

California Code of Regulations, Title 24-2 and Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility 

Guidelines, unless other standards are specifically agreed to in this Consent Decree and Order. 

a) Remedial Measures: The corrective work agreed upon by the parties is attached 

here to as Exhibit A. Defendants agree to undertake all of the remedial work set forth therein. 

b) Timing of Injunctive Relief: Defendants will provide access for disabled 

persons in a timely manner, pursuant to the time limits described in Exhibit A. In the event 

that unforeseen difficulties prevent Defendants from completing any of the agreed-upon 

injunctive relief, Defendants or their counsel will notify Plaintiff’s counsel in writing within 15 

days of discovering the delay. Defendants or their counsel will notify Plaintiff’s counsel when 

the corrective work is completed, and in any case will provide a status report no later than 120 

days from the entry of this Consent Decree. 

// 

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DAMAGES, ATTORNEY FEES, LITIGATION EXPENSES, AND COSTS:

Case 1:07-cv-01647-OWW -GSA Document 18 Filed 07/28/08 Page 3 of 7
Consent Decree and [Proposed] Order: 

Case No. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

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LAW OFFICES OF

PAUL L. REIN 200 LAKESIDE DR., SUITE A

OAKLAND, CA 94612-3503 

(510) 832-5001

 7. The parties have not reached an agreement regarding Plaintiff’s claims 

for damages, attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs. These issues shall be the subject of 

further negotiation, litigation, and/or motions to the Court. 

ENTIRE CONSENT ORDER: 

 8. This Consent Decree and Order and Attachment A to this Consent Decree, 

which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth in this document, constitutes the 

entire agreement between the signing parties on the matters of injunctive relief, 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, shall be 

enforceable regarding the matters of injunctive relief described herein. This Consent Decree 

and Order applies to Plaintiff’s claims for injunctive relief only and does not resolve Plaintiff’s 

claims for damages, attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs, which shall be the subject of 

further negotiation and/or litigation. 

CONSENT ORDER BINDING ON PARTIES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST: 

 9. This Consent Decree and Order shall be binding on Plaintiff ANDI MILLARD; 

Defendants BIG COUNTRY INN; MERCHANT VALLEY CORPORATION dba BEST 

WESTERN BIG COUNTRY INN; MAHMOOD AND AMINA MERCHANT AS TRUSTEES 

FOR THE MERCHANT FAMILY TRUST; and any successors in interest. The parties have a 

duty to so notify all such successors in interest of the existence and terms of this Consent 

Decree and Order during the period of the Court’s jurisdiction of this Consent Decree and 

Order. 

MUTUAL RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542 AS TO 

INJUNCTIVE RELIEF ONLY:

 10. Each of the parties to this Consent Decree understands and agrees that there is a 

risk and possibility that, subsequent to the execution of this Consent Decree, any or all of them 

Case 1:07-cv-01647-OWW -GSA Document 18 Filed 07/28/08 Page 4 of 7
Consent Decree and [Proposed] Order: 

Case No. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

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LAW OFFICES OF

PAUL L. REIN 200 LAKESIDE DR., SUITE A

OAKLAND, CA 94612-3503 

(510) 832-5001

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 is signed. Except for all 

obligations required in this Consent Decree, 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 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. 

This waiver applies to the injunctive relief aspects of this action only and does not include 

resolution of Plaintiff’s claims for damages, attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs. 

 11. Except for all obligations required in this Consent Decree, and exclusive of the 

referenced continuing claims for damages, statutory attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs, 

each of the parties to this Consent Decree, 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, 

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

out of or in any way connected with the Lawsuit.

TERM OF THE CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER: 

 12. This Consent Decree and Order shall be in full force and effect for a period of 

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Consent Decree and [Proposed] Order: 

Case No. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

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LAW OFFICES OF

PAUL L. REIN 200 LAKESIDE DR., SUITE A

OAKLAND, CA 94612-3503 

(510) 832-5001

twelve (12) months after the date of entry of this Consent Decree and Order, or until the 

injunctive relief contemplated by this Order is completed, whichever occurs later. The Court 

shall retain jurisdiction of this action to enforce provisions of this Order for twelve (12) months 

after the date of this Consent Decree, or until the injunctive relief contemplated by this Order is 

completed, whichever occurs later. 

SEVERABILITY: 

 13. If any term of this Consent Decree and Order is determined by any court to be 

unenforceable, the other terms of this Consent Decree and Order shall nonetheless remain in 

full force and effect. 

SIGNATORIES BIND PARTIES: 

 14. Signatories on the behalf of the parties represent that they are authorized to bind 

the parties to this Consent Decree and Order. This Consent Decree and Order may be signed in 

counterparts and a facsimile signature shall have the same force and effect as an original 

signature.

Dated: July 22, 2008 /s/ Andi Millard Plaintiff ANDI MILLARD 

Dated: July 15, 2008 /s/ Mahmod Merchant Defendant BIG COUNTRY INN; MERCHANT 

VALLEY CORPORATION dba BEST 

WESTERN BIG COUNTRY INN 

Dated: July 15, 2008 /s/ Mahmod Merchant Defendant MAHMOOD AND AMINA 

MERCHANT AS TRUSTEES FOR THE 

MERCHANT FAMILY TRUST 

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Consent Decree and [Proposed] Order: 

Case No. 07-CV-01647-OWW-GSA 

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LAW OFFICES OF

PAUL L. REIN 200 LAKESIDE DR., SUITE A

OAKLAND, CA 94612-3503 

(510) 832-5001

APPROVED AS TO FORM: 

Dated: July 25, 2008 PAUL L. REIN 

 JULIE A. OSTIL 

 ANN WINTERMAN 

 LAW OFFICES OF PAUL L. REIN 

____/s/ Paul Rein________________ 

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

ANDI MILLARD 

Dated: July 16, 2008 CRIS C. VAUGHAN 

 VAUGHAN & ASSOCIATES LAW OFFICE 

 

____/s/ Cris C. Vaughan___________ 

Attorney for Defendants 

BIG COUNTRY INN; MERCHANT VALLEY 

CORPORATION dba BEST WESTERN BIG 

COUNTRY INN; MAHMOOD AND AMINA 

MERCHANT AS TRUSTEES FOR THE 

MERCHANT FAMILY TRUST 

ORDER

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

 

Dated: July 28, 2008 /s/ OLIVER W. WANGER 

Honorable Oliver W. Wanger 

United States District Judge 

Case 1:07-cv-01647-OWW -GSA Document 18 Filed 07/28/08 Page 7 of 7