This is the property of the Daily Journal Corporation and fully protected by copyright. It is made available only to Daily Journal subscribers for personal or collaborative purposes and may not be distributed, reproduced, modified, stored or transferred without written permission. Please click "Reprint" to order presentation-ready copies to distribute to clients or use in commercial marketing materials or for permission to post on a website. and copyright (showing year of publication) at the bottom.

Employment Law
ADA
Failure to Accommodate

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Tarsadia Hotels, et al.

Published: Nov. 26, 2011 | Result Date: Nov. 7, 2011 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 3:2010-cv-01921 Settlement –  $132,500

Court

USDC Southern District of California


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Anna Y. Park
(U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

Michael J. Farrell

Carol A. Igoe
(California Nurses Association)


Defendant

Michelle Rapoport


Facts

A front desk clerk at the Comfort Suites Mission Valley Hotel in San Diego suffered from autism and had prior hotel experience in a similar position. He sought free job coaching services from the state that would help him learn to master his job through autism-specific training techniques. Tarsadia Hotels, dba Comfort Suites, refused to allow the assistance of a job coach. The clerk was subsequently fired. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a complaint against Tarsadia on behalf of the employee, alleging disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Result

Tarsadia agreed to pay a $132,500 settlement, of which $125,000 will go to the claimant, and the rest will be donated to a nonprofit organization in San Diego that provides employment support to persons with disabilities. Tarsadia also agreed to a consent decree and to changes with respect to ADA compliance.


#82508

For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:

Email jeremy@reprintpros.com for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390