The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to take up a case over a Maine-based hotel owner's attempt to limit disability claims lawsuits after a complaint alleged the lodging house failed to disclose accessibility information on its website.
The appeal was brought by Acheson Hotels, which oversees the Coast Village Inn and Cottages in Maine. The company argued disability rights campaigner Deborah Laufer did not have the legal standing to bring the lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act because she did not have any intent of staying at the hotels.To bring a lawsuit, plaintiffs typically have to prove they have incurred some sort of damages, and the hotel company alleges Laufer has failed to prove injury properly.
Several business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, allege so-called Americans with Disabilities Act"testers" have caused a rising trend in lawsuits against small businesses accused of discriminating against disabled people. For example, the number of claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act climbed to 11,452 in 2021, marking a 320% increase from 2013, according to the Chamber.
However, Laufer's attorney, Thomas Bacon, argues testers such as his client are necessary or else fewer businesses would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that doesn't offer any award of damages and is primarily enforced by advocates and litigants.Bacon said any opposition to Laufer's suit neglects to consider one"critical factor," arguing,"The only reason any place is in compliance with the law is because of these few plaintiffs.
The Supreme Court will weigh oral arguments on this matter next term, which begins in October and concludes in June 2024.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dark Money-Fueled Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate’s Anti-Abortion Views Span DecadesThe billionaire-backed State Supreme Court candidate Daniel Kelly once wrote that “God’s law” applies in court.
Read more »
Disability rights activist faces Supreme Court showdown over hotel accessibility lawsuitsThe Supreme Court will decide whether accessibility 'testers' can sue over a lack of information on hotel websites when they have no intention of staying at the hotels in question.
Read more »
Scope of IRS powers tops Supreme Court's busy docket of arguments and opinionsThe Supreme Court will issue at least one opinion this week while it weighs a packed docket of cases, including a request by the IRS to allow its agents to secretly obtain financial records without the need to notify account holders.
Read more »
Mexico government to challenge Supreme Court suspension of electoral reformThe Mexican government said Sunday it would challenge the Supreme Court's temporary suspension of parts of a controversial electoral reform pushed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Read more »
'Poop-themed dog toys' face Supreme Court showdown in trademark disputeThe Supreme Court to debate whether Jack Daniel's has to grin and bear it over humorous dog 'poop-themed' toys that bear a resemblance to its iconic whiskey bottles.
Read more »
Supreme Court chews on Jack Daniel’s dog toy disputeThe question for the court has to do with whether the toy makers infringed on Jack Daniel’s trademarks.
Read more »