Block v. California-Fresno Investment Company

District Court, E.D. California·Decided December 15, 2023·No. 1:22-cv-01419·Unknown

Opinion

HENDRIK BLOCK, Case No. 1:22-cv-1419 JLT SAB Plaintiff, ORDER ADOPTING IN PART THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, v. GRANTING IN PART PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT, CALIFORNIA-FRESNO INVESTMENT DISMISSING PLAINTIFF’S STATE LAW COMPANY, et al. CLAIMS WITHOUT PREJUDICE, AND DIRECTING THE CLERK OF COURT TO Defendants. CLOSE THE CASE (Docs. 24, 30) Hendrik Block seeks default judgment against California-Fresno Investment Company, doing business as Bad Buds Gas & Car Wash, for violating Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act. (See Doc. 1.) For the reasons set forth below, the motion for default judgment is granted in part. The Court finds default judgment is appropriate for the claim arising under the ADA but declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction and dismisses claims arising under state law without prejudice. I. Relevant Background Block reports he “is substantially limited in his ability to walk, and must use a cane, walker, wheelchair or electric scooter for mobility.” (Doc. 1 at 2, ¶ 8.) He asserts that he visited Bad Buds Gas and Car Wash to purchase snacks on May 21, 2022. (Id., ¶ 10.) Block alleges he “personally encountered barriers (both physical and intangible)” at Bad Buds that interfered with his ability to use and enjoy the services at the facility. (Id. at 2, ¶ 10.) Specifically, Block asserts that “[i]t was difficult … to locate the designated accessible parking” in the parking lot, “as it was missing signage and had faded pavement markings that were barely visible.” (Id. at 3, ¶ 10(a).) In addition, Block contends that after parking in the designated spot, “he could not find an accessible route to the Facility entrance,” because there was not a curb ramp between the parking spot and the walkway. (Id., ¶ 10(b).) Block reports he used his wheelchair when visiting Bad Buds, and as a result “he could not ascend the curb and had to travel through the vehicular to get to the … entrance.” (Id.) Block reports he is a resident of California and “regularly travels to the area” where Bad Buds is located. (Doc. 1 at 2, ¶ 10.) Block asserts that he “was, and continues to be, deterred from visiting” Bad Buds because he knows the “goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations were and are unavailable to [him] due to [his] physical disabilities.” (Id. at 3, ¶ 12.) According to Block, he will return to Bad Buds “once the barriers are removed” because he “enjoys the goods and services offered.” (Id.) On November 3, 2022, Block initiated this action by filing a complaint against California- Fresno Investment Company, dba Bad Buds Gas & Car Wash, alleging: (1) violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (2) violations of California’s Unruh Act, and (3) denial of full and equal access to public facilities under California’s Health and Safety Code.1 (Doc. 1 at 4- 9.) Block asserted the defendant “possessed and enjoyed sufficient control and authority” to remove the barriers to wheelchair access and be sure Bad Buds complied with the 1991 ADA Accessibility Guidelines and/or the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. (Id. at 4, ¶ 14.) In addition, Block contends the defendant has “the financial resources to remove the[] barriers … without much difficulty or expense[], and make the Facility accessible.” (Id. at 3, ¶ 13.) Block served CFIC with the summons and complaint on May 11, 2023.2 (Doc. 18.) After

1 Block also raised these claims against Cedar Plaza, Inc. in the complaint. (See generally Doc. 1.) However, Block dismissed Cedar Plaza as a defendant pursuant to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (Doc. 21.) Accordingly, only CFIC remains as a defendant.

2 The Court determined the prior service upon was inadequate and granted Block an extension of time to complete service upon CFIC. (Docs. 11, 16, and 17.) CFIC failed to respond to the complaint, Block requested default be entered against CFIC. (Doc. 19.) The Clerk of Court entered default on June 30, 2023. (Doc. 20.) Block now seeks default judgment against CFIC, requesting injunctive and declaratory relief, statutory damages under the Unruh Act, attorneys’ fees, and costs.3 (Doc. 24.) II. Findings and Recommendations As an initial matter, the magistrate judge determined the Court has original jurisdiction over the action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, based upon Block’s claim for violations of the ADA. (Doc. 30 at 7.) In addition, the magistrate judge noted that “the Court may exert supplemental jurisdiction, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367, over [the] related state law claims under the Unruh Act, California Civil Code §§ 51, et seq.” (Id.) The magistrate judge evaluated the factors set forth by the Ninth Circuit in Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1472 (9th Cir. 1986), and found the factors weighed in favor of granting the motion for default judgment. (Doc. 30.) Specifically, the magistrate judge found default judgment was appropriate for Block’s claim arising under the ADA, and recommended the requested injunctive relief be granted. (Id. at 12-17.) The magistrate judge also found default judgment was appropriate for the claim arising under the Unruh Act, and recommended awarding statutory damages in the amount of $4,000.00. (Id. at 17-18.) Finally, the magistrate judge recommended Block be awarded attorneys’ fees in the modified amount of $933.50 and litigation expenses and costs in the amount of $716.63, for a total of $1,650.13. (Id. at 23-31.) The Findings and Recommendations were served on Plaintiff, who mailed a copy to Defendant. (Doc. 31.) The Court informed the parties that any objections must be filed within 14 days of the date of service. (Doc. 30 at 32.) In addition, the Court advised the parties that “the failure to file objections within the specified time may result in the waiver of rights on appeal.” (Id. at 32-33, citing Wilkerson v. Wheeler, 772 F.3d 834, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2014), Baxter v. Sullivan, 923 F.2d 1391, 1394 (9th Cir. 1991).) No objections were filed, and the time to do so expired.

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Block v. California-Fresno Investment Company, (E.D. Cal. 2023).

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