Date: 08-26-2015

Case Style: United States of America v. Comfort Inn & Suites of Meriden, Connecticut

Case Number:

Judge: Not Available

Court: United States District Court for the District of Connecticut (New Haven County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: David C. Nelson

Defendant's Attorney: Not Available

Description: New Haven, CT - Meriden Hotel Agrees to Make Changes to Comply with Americans with Disabilities Act

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a voluntary compliance agreement with the Comfort Inn & Suites of Meriden, Connecticut, to resolve allegations that the hotel was not being operated in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”).

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate “places of public accommodation,” which includes hotels, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability. The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and to undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities. The Department of Justice is also authorized to commence a civil lawsuit in federal court in any case that involves a pattern or practice of discrimination or that raises issues of general public importance, and to seek injunctive relief, monetary damages, and civil penalties.

The Comfort Inn & Suites of Meriden is in the process of making the changes required by the compliance agreement, including improvements to accessible rooms, public areas and the parking lot. The improvements will continue over the next 18 months.

The hotel’s owners and management worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address the ADA issues without litigation.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that individuals are able to access and enjoy the state’s hotels and other public accommodations,” stated U.S. Attorney Daly. “Our Office is committed to enforcing the ADA, which requires businesses to appropriately serve the diverse population of patrons who live, work, and visit Connecticut. We appreciate the willingness of Comfort Inn & Suites to make the necessary changes.”

Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a hotel or any other place of public accommodation in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice’s Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TDD). More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.

This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David C. Nelson of the District of Connecticut in coordination with the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

Outcome: See above

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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