ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis County man is suing Orchard Bend Associates LP, citing alleged disability discrimination.
Malcolm Johnson filed a complaint on Dec. 29 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri against Orchard Bend Associates LP, alleging that the St. Louis County property owner failed to provide a reasonably accessible facility.
According to the complaint, the Johnson says that he continues to experience discrimination as a person in a wheelchair. He has difficulty accessing the goods and services offered at defendant's property, which is caused by architectural barriers that prevent him from moving around the property with ease and visiting his favorite shops, the complaint states.
Johnson holds Orchard Bend Associates responsible because the company allegedly acted with disregard for his protected rights, interfered with his right to enjoy the same benefits and privileges as other individuals and failed to provide adequate facilities for the protected class as mandated by law.
Johnson requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant, declaratory relief, alteration of the property for accessibility, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses of suit and further relief as it deems necessary. He is represented by Garret S. DeReus of Bizer & DeReus in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Case number 16-cv-02161