Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-00714/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-00714-4/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SCOTT N. JOHNSON, 

 Plaintiff, No. CIV S-09-0714 GEB GGH

 vs. 

KIRK C. DOYLE,

Defendant. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 /

Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment against Defendant Kirk Doyle, filed

October 2, 2009, was submitted without a hearing. Defendant filed no opposition. Upon review

of the motion and supporting documents, and good cause appearing, the court issues the

following findings and recommendations.

BACKGROUND

On March 16, 2009, plaintiff filed the underlying complaint in this action against

defendant Kirk Doyle, who owns the property on which a retail store, “Julie’s Antiques,” is

situated, at 625 Vernon Street, Roseville, California. See Complaint, at pp. 2-3; Trust Transfer

Deed, attached as exhibit A to Complaint. Plaintiff alleges he visited the business in November

2008, on multiple occasions, but encountered architectural barriers in the form of the lack of

“correct number and type of properly configured disabled parking space(s) including the lack of a

van accessible disabled parking space [no disabled parking at all], accessible route, accessible

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 The summons and complaint were thereafter mailed to defendant. (Dkt. #13.) 1

 Cal.Civil Code § 52(a) provides: “Whoever denies, aids or incites a denial, or makes

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any discrimination or distinction contrary to Section 51, 51.5, or 51.6, is liable for each and every

offense for the actual damages, and any amount that may be determined by a jury, or a court

sitting without a jury, up to a maximum of three times the amount of actual damage but in no

case less than four thousand dollars ($4,000), and any attorney’s fees that may be determined by

the court in addition thereto, suffered by any person denied the rights provided in Section 51,

51.5, or 51.6.”

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entrance, accessibility signage and striping....” Complaint, at p. 3. He asserts that these defects

constitute violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act and state law. The summons and

complaint were served by substituted service on Charles Vaughan, retail business owner on the

subject property on August 6, 2009. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e)(1); Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 415.20(a). 1

Pacific Atlantic Trading Co. v. M/V Main Express, 758 F.2d 1325, 1331 (9th Cir. 1985) (default

judgment void without personal jurisdiction). Defendant has failed to file an answer or otherwise

defend in this action. On September 24, 2009, the clerk entered default against defendant Kirk

Doyle.

The instant motion for default judgment and supporting papers were served on

defendant. Plaintiff seeks an entry of default judgment in the amount of $8,000 pursuant to

California Civil Code section 52(a) as well as injunctive relief. 

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DISCUSSION

Entry of default effects an admission of all well-pleaded allegations of the

complaint by the defaulted party. Geddes v. United Financial Group, 559 F.2d 557 (9th Cir.

1977). The court finds the well pleaded allegations of the complaint state a claim for which

relief can be granted. Anderson v. Air West, 542 F.2d 1090, 1093 (9th Cir. 1976). The

memorandum of points and authorities and affidavits filed in support of the motion for entry of

default judgment also support the finding that plaintiff is entitled to the relief requested. There

are no policy considerations which preclude the entry of default judgment of the type requested. 

See Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-1472 (9th Cir. 1986). Plaintiff is entitled to statutory

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damages for each “offense,” i.e., each obstructed visit. Feezor v. DeTaco, Inc., 431 F.Supp.2d

1088 (S.D. Cal. 2005).

CONCLUSION

In view of the foregoing findings, it is the recommendation of this court that:

1. Plaintiffs’ motion for entry of default judgment be GRANTED as to Kirk

Doyle in the amount of $8,000; and

2. Injunctive relief be granted against defendant Kirk Doyle requiring a properly

configured van accessible disabled parking space with an accessible route to an accessible main

entrance to the retail store known as “Julie’s Antiques,” located at 625 Vernon Street, Roseville,

California, in conformity with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines

(ADAAG) as set forth in 28 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 36.

These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District

Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within

fourteen days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file

written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be

captioned “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the

objections shall be served and filed within seven days after service of the objections. The parties

are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal

the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).

DATED: 01/21/2010

/s/ Gregory G. Hollows

___________________________________

 GREGORY G. HOLLOWS

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

GGH:076/Johnson0714.def.wpd

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