Celano v. Marriott International, Inc.

242 F.R.D. 544, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32065, 2007 WL 1149113
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. California
DecidedApril 18, 2007
DocketNo. C 05-4004 PJH
StatusPublished
Cited by39 cases

This text of 242 F.R.D. 544 (Celano v. Marriott International, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Celano v. Marriott International, Inc., 242 F.R.D. 544, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32065, 2007 WL 1149113 (N.D. Cal. 2007).

Opinion

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR CLASS CERTIFICATION

HAMILTON, District Judge.

Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification came on for hearing before this court on February 21, 2007. Plaintiffs, Lawrence Ce-lano, Richard Thesing, and William Hefferon (“plaintiffs”) appeared through their counsel, Nanee F. Becker and Kevin Knestrick. Defendant, Marriott International, Inc. (“defendant” or “Marriott”) appeared through its counsel, Gregory F. Hurley and Gerald L. Maatman. Having read the parties’ papers and carefully considered their arguments and the relevant legal authority, and good cause appearing, the court hereby DENIES plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, for the reasons stated at the hearing and as follows.

BACKGROUND

This is a proposed class action arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101 et seq., the California Disabled Persons Act (“CDPA”), Cal. Civil Code §§ 54 et seq., and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, Cal. Civil Code § 51. Plaintiffs allege that defendant’s failure to provide “accessible” or “single-rider” golf carts to allow disabled persons to play golf at defendant’s courses violates these provisions. Plaintiffs seek a declaration that Marriott’s polices are unlawful and an injunction requiring defendant to provide single-rider carts at each of its golf facilities. They do not seek damages.

[547]*547Accessible golf carts are, according to plaintiffs, an “auxiliary aid” that golf courses must provide under the ADA, which prohibits “a failure to make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures, when such modifications are necessary to afford such ... services ... to individuals with disabilities, unless the entity can demonstrate that making such modifications would fundamentally alter the nature of such ... services ....” 42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(2)(A)(ii). Plaintiffs allege Marriott’s practices violate California law for the same reasons. The CDPA provides that “[i]ndividuals with disabilities ... have the same right as the general public to the full and free use of ... public facilities, and other public places.” Cal. Civ.Code § 54(a). The Unruh Civil Rights Act protects the right of California residents to “full and equal accommodations ... in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.” Cal. Civ.Code § 51(b). A violation of Title III of the ADA is a violation of both California statutes. Cal. Civ.Code §§ 51(f), 54(c).

Plaintiffs filed their original complaint in this court on October 4, 2005 and amended their complaint on October 18, 2006. All three named plaintiffs indicate that they require a single-rider cart to play golf: Mr. Celano sustained a spinal cord injury while serving in the United States Army and must use a wheelchair; Mr. Thesing suffers from a mobility disability due to a driving accident and must use a wheelchair; and Mr. Heffer-on has limited use of the left side of his body due to a stroke. A single-rider cart is a specially designed golf cart that allows individuals with mobility disabilities to hit the golf ball while sitting in the cart. Most of these carts contain a swivel seat that rotates, allowing the individual to hit the golf ball while seated. The carts also contain hand brakes and accelerators to allow mobility-impaired users to drive them.

Marriott owns and operates hotels and resorts around the country, many of which include golf courses. Plaintiffs state they have contacted several Marriott-owned golf resorts expressing an interest in playing at the resort’s golf courses and requesting a single-rider golf cart. Each plaintiff was told that Marriott does not maintain single-rider carts at its courses. Messrs. Celano and Thesing then wrote letters to Marriott complaining about the lack of single-rider carts. In response, Marriott informed them that it was not required by current ADA rules to maintain single-rider golf carts. While Marriott informed plaintiffs that they could bring their own single-rider carts to its courses, plaintiffs claim this is impractical because: 1) the carts are too difficult to load on and off of a trailer; and 2) they cannot bring their own carts when traveling out of state.

Defendant contends that there are no existing laws requiring that a golf course owner provide single-riders cart for disabled golfers, and that the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) is still in the process of considering whether, and under what circumstances, a golf course must provide such carts. The United States Access Board (a federal agency devoted to accessibility for the disabled) issued revised accessibility guidelines under the ADA on July 23, 2004 that address access in golf facilities, but do not require that golf facilities provide single-rider carts. Defendant therefore contends that it cannot be liable in the absence of the DOJ’s rulemaking. Plaintiffs concede that DOJ regulations do not require Marriott to provide single-rider carts. They argue, however, that Marriott violates the ADA and California law because defendant’s policies: 1) deny them the opportunity to fully enjoy Marriott’s golfing accommodations; 2) deprive them of auxiliary aides and services they need to play golf; and 3) constitute an arbitrary refusal to modify their practices to ensure equal access to plaintiffs and potential class members.

Plaintiffs now seek certification of a national class and a California subclass representing individuals with mobility disabilities who require an accessible golf cart to secure equal access to Marriott owned or operated golf courses. Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification includes declarations from twenty-one potential class members, essentially stating they are avid golfers and would play at Marriott courses were single-rider carts available.

[548]*548DISCUSSION

A. Legal Standards

In order for a class action to be certified, plaintiffs must prove that they meet the requirements of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a) and (b). As a threshold to class certification, plaintiffs must satisfy four prerequisites under Rule 23(a). First, the class must be so numerous that joinder of all members individually is “impracticable.” See Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(a)(1). Second, there must be questions of law or fact common to the class. Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(a)(2). Third, the claims or defenses of the class representative must be typical of the claims or defenses of the class. Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(a)(3). And fourth, the person representing the class must be able to protect fairly and adequately the interests of all members of the class. Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(a)(4).

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Bluebook (online)
242 F.R.D. 544, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32065, 2007 WL 1149113, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/celano-v-marriott-international-inc-cand-2007.