Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_02-cv-05849/USCOURTS-cand-4_02-cv-05849-22/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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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MOELLER ET AL,

 Plaintiff,

 v.

 TACO BELL CORP.,

Defendant. /

No. C02-05849 MJJ

ORDER

The Court has read and considered the parties respective positions, as set forth in their joint and

updated case management statements, regarding Plaintiffs' objection to providing supplemental

responses to Interogatory #1, and Plaintiffs' objection to Interrogatory #17 and 18. The Court has

also reviewed Urhausen v. Longs Drug Stores Cal., 155 Cal. App. 4th 254, 262-266 (Cal Ct. of App.

2007). Having considered the arguments of the parties, the Court now enters the following ruling:

Interrogatory #1: The Court OVERRULES Plaintiffs' objection an finds discovery of information

regarding circumstances tending to establish a denial of equal access (compliance) is relevant to the

question of liability. As such, Plaintiffs shall supplement their response to Interrogatory No.1 as

soon as possible - but no later than March 10, 2008

 

Interrogatory #17 and 18: The Court GRANTS, without prejudice, Plaintiffs' objection to these

interrogatories. The issue of question of standing and/or damages is not relevant at this juncture of

the proceeding. The court has determined that the case will be litigated in phases and informed the

parties that the question of liability will be the focus of phase one of the litigation. Accordingly,

discovery at this juncture of the proceeding has been tailored to focus on the question of liability. 

After a determination of the question(s) of liability, with respect to the Bellweather Restaurants, the

Court will take up the question of standing and damages and the information sought in

Case 4:02-cv-05849-PJH Document 354 Filed 01/11/08 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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Interrogatories #17 and 18 will be relevant. Defendant's reliance upon Urhausen does not support

Defendant's current requests for the discovery reflected in Interrogatories 17 and 18. In Urhausen,

the California appellate court held that a showing of a denial of equal access is a prerequisite to

recovery of damages. Therefore, subsequent to a determination of liability, when the Court takes

up the question of damages, Defendant, relying on Urhausen, will have the opportunity to propound

and receive answers to Interrogatory #17 and 18. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: 1/11/2008 

MARTIN J. JENKINS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 4:02-cv-05849-PJH Document 354 Filed 01/11/08 Page 2 of 2