The Department of Justice (DOJ) accuses LA Fitness of disability discrimination in a lawsuit announced Tuesday.
In a press release, the Department of Justice said it was suing Fitness International LLC, which owns LA Fitness, for “discriminating against people with disabilities in its gyms and health clubs.”
The Department of Justice is asking the Central District of California to “stop discrimination against people with disabilities, including by requiring LA Fitness to make its facilities and equipment accessible.”
According to the Department of Justice, LA Fitness discriminated against people with disabilities because some of the chain’s amenities were not fully accessible. The press release mentioned a broken pool elevator, broken elevators and broken equipment.
Justice Department claims Hunter Biden was hired by Romanian oligarchy to ‘influence U.S. policy’: DOCS
LA Fitness is currently being sued by the Department of Justice for allegedly violating the ADA. (St. Petersburg)
The chain is also suspected of charging customers with disabilities extra fees for certain services. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for those “harmed by LA Fitness’ discrimination.”
“This includes people who have been directly affected by LA Fitness’ access barriers or broken equipment, those who need help accessing LA Fitness’ clubs, and who have asked friends, nurses, and personal assistants for access to LA Fitness facilities.” This includes people who have been charged additional fees for their assistance,” the press release said.
LA Fitness is one of the largest gym chains in the United States, operating approximately 700 clubs across the United States. The Justice Department’s case hinges on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed in 1990 to “establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability.”
Elderly pro-life activist sentenced to prison for protesting at abortion clinic
A photo taken on June 6, 2020 shows the reopened LA Fitness Club in the northern suburbs of Dallas, Texas, USA. (Dan Tian/Xinhua via Getty Images)
“The ADA requires LA Fitness to provide people with disabilities with equal access to LA Fitness services and facilities, and to remove architectural barriers and provide accessible features to allow people with disabilities to use the facilities. “The Department of Justice requires that it be maintained.”
“The ADA also prohibits LA Fitness from charging additional fees to individuals with disabilities.”
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark said in a statement that access to physical health activities is “critical to promoting the health and well-being of all individuals, including individuals with disabilities.”
“For more than 30 years, the ADA has provided gyms and health clubs like LA Fitness with opportunities for patrons with disabilities to use and enjoy the facilities enjoyed by patrons without disabilities,” Clark said. It has been prohibited to refuse.” “Through this lawsuit, the Department aims to correct LA Fitness’ discriminatory practices and ensure that patrons with disabilities have equal access to fully participate in their local LA Fitness gyms and health clubs.”
A look at LA fitness facilities in 2019 (John Greim/LightRocket, Getty Images)
Click here for the FOX News app
Fox News Digital has reached out to LA Fitness for comment.