Gomez v. Kedo LLC

• Court: District Court, S.D. New York
• Decided: August 26, 2024
• Docket: 1:24-cv-01556
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

SOUTHERN DISTRICTOF NEWYORK _________________________________x AlexanderGomez, Plaintiff, CaseNo.: 1:24-cv-01556-LGS -v- KedoLLC, and DEFAULTFINAL JUDGMENT ElPaso116Corp, AGAINST DEFENDANT KEDOLLC AND ELPASO 116CORP. Defendants. __________________________________x

FINAL DEFAULTJUDGMENT THIS ACTION, having been commenced on February 29, 2024 by the filing of the Complaint [DE#1] having been filed on February 29, 2024 against the subject property owned and leased by the Defendants at 237 E 116th St, New York, NY 10029; and the Complainthaving been served on Defendant Kedo LLC and Defendant El Paso 116 Corp on March 5, 2024 via the Secretary of State as their authorized agent for service of process, and with proof of service

having been filed on April 10, 2024 [DE#8 & DE#10], and the Defendants having not appeared or answered the Complaint [DE#1], and the time for answering the Complaint [DE#1] having and Defendants having failed to appear at the show-cause hearing on July 10, 2024, expiredonMarch26,2024,itishereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that thePlaintiff haveFinalDefaultJudgment against Defendant, Defendant Kedo LLC and Defendant ElPaso116Corp (hereinafterreferred toas “Defendant”),as follows: A) Defendants shall be required apply for, obtain, andcausetheremovalandremediationthe following barriers to access which exist in violation of Title III of the Americans with 1. Inaccessibleentrance. 2. Accessibleroutetoestablishmentnotprovidedas required. 3. Accessiblemeansof egress notprovidedas required. 4. Existingstepsatinteriorsideof entrancedoor actas abarriertoaccessibility. 5. Requiredrampnotprovidedfor steps atinteriorsode of entrancedoor. ADAAG 206AccessibleRoutesADAAG 206.1General. Accessibleroutesshallbeprovidedinaccordancewith206andshallcomplywithChapter4. ADAAG 206.2WhereRequired. Accessibleroutesshallbeprovidedwhererequiredby206.2. ADAAG 206.2.1SiteArrivalPoints. At least one accessible route shall beprovidedwithinthesitefromaccessibleparkingspacesand accessible passenger loading zones; public streets and sidewalks; and publictransportationstops totheaccessiblebuildingor facilityentrancetheyserve. ADAAG 206.4Entrances. Entrances shall be provided in accordance with 206.4. Entrancedoors, doorways, andgatesshall complywith404andshallbeonanaccessibleroutecomplyingwith402. ADAAG 207AccessibleMeans of Egress ADAAG 207.1General. Means of egress shall comply with section 1003.2.13 of the International Building Code (2000 edition and 2001 Supplement) or section 1007 of the International Building Code(2003 edition) (incorporatedbyreference,“ReferencedStandards”inChapter1). ADAAG 402AccessibleRoutesADAAG 402.1General. Accessibleroutesshallcomplywith402. ADAAG 402.2Components. Accessible routes shall consist of one or more of the following components: walking surfaces with a running slope not steeper than 1:20, doorways, ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts. All components of an accessible route shall comply with the applicablerequirementsof Chapter4. ADAAG 403 Walking Surfaces ADAAG 403.4 ChangesinLevel.Changesinlevelshallcomply with303 ADAAG 303.4Ramps. Changesinlevelgreaterthan½inchhighshallberamped,andshallcomplywith405or 406. 6. Requiredminimummaneuveringclearancenotprovidedatinteriorsideof entrancedoor. 7. Non-compliant change in floor level within required maneuvering clearance at interior sideof entrancedoor. ADAAG 206AccessibleRoutesADAAG 206.1General. Accessibleroutesshallbeprovidedinaccordancewith206andshallcomplywithChapter4. ADAAG 206.2WhereRequired. Accessibleroutesshallbeprovidedwhererequiredby206.2. ADAAG 206.2.1SiteArrivalPoints. At least one accessible route shall beprovidedwithinthesitefromaccessibleparkingspacesand accessible passenger loading zones; public streets and sidewalks; and publictransportationstops totheaccessiblebuildingor facilityentrancetheyserve. ADAAG 206.4Entrances. Entrances shall be provided in accordance with 206.4. Entrancedoors, doorways, andgatesshall complywith404andshallbeonanaccessibleroutecomplyingwith402. ADAAG 206.4.1PublicEntrances. In addition to entrances required by 206.4.2 through 206.4.9, at least 60 percent of all public entrancesshallcomplywith404. ADAAG 207AccessibleMeans of Egress ADAAG 207.1General. Means of egress shall comply with section 1003.2.13 of the International Building Code (2000 edition and 2001 Supplement) or section 1007 of the International Building Code(2003 edition) (incorporatedbyreference,“ReferencedStandards”inChapter1) ADAAG 404.2.4ManeuveringClearances. Minimummaneuveringclearancesatdoors andgatesshallcomplywith404.2.4. Maneuvering clearances shall extend the full width of the doorway andtherequiredlatchsideor hingesideclearance. ADAAG 404.2.4.4Flooror Ground Surface. Floor or ground surface within requiredmaneuveringclearancesshallcomplywith302.Changes inlevelarenotpermitted. 8. Inaccessiblebar. 9. Non-compliantheightof barexceedsmaximumheightallowance. 10. Requiredminimumkneeandtoeclearancenotprovidedatbar. 11. Portionof barrequiredtobeaccessiblenotprovided. ADAAG 226DiningSurfacesandWork SurfacesADAAG 226.1General. Where dining surfaces areprovidedfor theconsumptionof food or drink,atleast5percentof the seatingspacesandstandingspacesatthediningsurfacesshallcomplywith902. ADAAG 902DiningSurfacesandWork SurfacesADAAG 902.1General. Diningsurfacesandwork surfacesshallcomplywith902.2and902.3. Advisory 902.1General. Diningsurfacesinclude,butarenotlimitedto,bars, tables,lunchcounters,andbooths. ADAAG 902.2ClearFlooror Ground Space. A clear floor space complying with 305 positioned for a forward approach shall be provided. Kneeandtoeclearancecomplyingwith306shallbeprovided. ADAAG 902.3Height. The tops of dining surfaces and work surfaces shall be 28 inches (710 mm) minimum and 34 inches(865 mm)maximumabovethefinishflooror ground. ADAAG 306.2ToeClearance. ADAAG 306.2.3MinimumRequiredDepth. Where toeclearanceisrequiredatanelementas partof aclearfloorspace,thetoeclearanceshall extend17inches(430 mm)minimumundertheelement. ADAAG 306.2.5Width. Toeclearanceshallbe30inches(760 mm)wideminimum. ADAAG 306.3KneeClearance. ADAAG 306.3.3MinimumRequiredDepth. Where knee clearance is required under an element as part of a clear floor space, the knee clearance shall be 11 inches deep minimum at 9 inches above the ground, and 8 inches deep minimumat27inches(685 mm)abovethefinishflooror ground. ADAAG 306.3.5Width. Kneeclearanceshallbe30inches(760 mm)wideminimum. 12. Inaccessiblediningtables. 13. Requiredminimumkneeandtoeclearancenotprovidedatdiningtables. 14. A minimumpercentageof existingdiningtablesrequiredtobeaccessiblenotprovided. ADAAG 226DiningSurfacesandWork SurfacesADAAG 226.1General. Where dining surfaces areprovidedfor theconsumptionof food or drink,atleast5percentof the seatingspacesandstandingspacesatthediningsurfacesshallcomplywith902. ADAAG 902DiningSurfacesandWork SurfacesADAAG 902.1General. Diningsurfacesandwork surfacesshallcomplywith902.2and902.3. ADAAG 902.2ClearFlooror Ground Space. A clear floor space complying with 305 positioned for a forward approach shall be provided. Kneeandtoeclearancecomplyingwith306shallbeprovided. ADAAG 306.2ToeClearance. ADAAG 306.2.3MinimumRequiredDepth. Where toeclearanceisrequiredatanelementas partof aclearfloorspace,thetoeclearanceshall extend17inches(430 mm)minimumundertheelement. ADAAG 306.2.5Width. Toeclearanceshallbe30inches(760 mm)wideminimum. ADAAG 306.3KneeClearance. ADAAG 306.3.3MinimumRequiredDepth. Where knee clearance is required under an element as part of a clear floor space, the knee clearance shall be 11 inches deep minimum at 9 inches above the ground, and 8 inches deep minimumat27inches(685 mm)abovethefinishflooror ground. ADAAG 306.3.5Width. Kneeclearanceshallbe30inches(760 mm)wideminimum. 15. Requiredminimummaneuveringclearancenotprovidedatrestroomdoor. ADAAG 206AccessibleRoutesADAAG 206.1General. Accessibleroutesshallbeprovidedinaccordancewith206andshallcomplywithChapter4. ADAAG 402AccessibleRoutesADAAG 402.1General. Accessibleroutesshallcomplywith402. ADAAG 402.2Components. Accessible routes shall consist of one or more of the following components: walking surfaces with a running slope not steeper than 1:20, doorways, ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts. All components of an accessible route shall comply with the applicablerequirementsof Chapter4. ADAAG 404.2.4ManeuveringClearances. Minimummaneuveringclearancesatdoors andgatesshallcomplywith404.2.4. Maneuvering clearances shall extend the full width of the doorway andtherequiredlatchsideor hingesideclearance. 16. Non-compliantdoor knobatrestroomdoor requirestwistingof thewrist. ADAAG 404Doors, Doorways, andGatesADAAG 404.1General. Doors, doorways, andgatesthatarepartof anaccessiblerouteshallcomplywith404. ADAAG 404.2.7Door andGateHardware. Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on doors and gates shall comply with 309.4 ADAAG 309.4Operation. Operablepartsshallbeoperablewithonehandandshallnotrequiretightgrasping,pinching, or twistingof thewrist.Theforcerequiredtoactivateoperablepartsshallbe5pounds maximum. 17. Non-compliantdoor lockatrestroomdoor requirestwistingof thewrist. ADAAG 404Doors, Doorways, andGatesADAAG 404.1General. Doors, doorways, andgatesthatarepartof anaccessiblerouteshallcomplywith404. ADAAG 404.2.7Door andGateHardware. Handles, pulls, latches, locks, and other operable parts on doors and gates shall comply with 309.4 ADAAG 309.4Operation. Operablepartsshallbeoperablewithonehandandshallnotrequiretightgrasping,pinching, or twistingof thewrist.Theforcerequiredtoactivateoperablepartsshallbe5pounds maximum. 18. Inaccessiblelavatoryinrestroom. 19. Requiredminimumclearfloorspacenotprovidedatlavatoryinrestroom. ADAAG 606LavatoriesandSinks. ADAAG 606.2ClearFloorSpace. A clear floor space complying with 305, positioned for a forward approach, and knee and toe clearancecomplyingwith306shallbeprovided. ADAAG 305.3Size. The clear floor or ground space shall be 30 inches (760 mm) minimum by48inches(1220 mm) minimum. 20. Requiredminimumkneeandtoeclearancenotprovidedatlavatoryinrestroom. ADAAG 606LavatoriesandSinks. ADAAG 606.2ClearFloorSpace. A clear floor space complying with 305, positioned for a forward approach, and knee and toe clearancecomplyingwith306shallbeprovided. ADAAG 306.2ToeClearance. ADAAG 306.2.3MinimumRequiredDepth. Where toeclearanceisrequiredatanelementas partof aclearfloorspace,thetoeclearanceshall extend17inches(430 mm)minimumundertheelement. ADAAG 306.2.5Width. Toeclearanceshallbe30inches(760 mm)wideminimum. ADAAG 306.3KneeClearance. ADAAG 306.3.3MinimumRequiredDepth. Where knee clearance is required under an element as part of a clear floor space, the knee clearance shall be 11 inches deep minimum at 9 inches above the ground, and 8 inches deep minimumat27inches(685 mm)abovethefinishflooror ground. ADAAG 306.3.5Width. Kneeclearanceshallbe30inches(760 mm)wideminimum. 21. Insulation of pipes and water lines under the lavatory in restroom not provided as required. ADAAG 606LavatoriesandSinks. ADAAG 606.5ExposedPipesandSurfaces. Water supply and drain pipes under lavatories and sinks shall be insulated or otherwise configured to protect against contact. There shall be no sharp or abrasive surfaces under lavatoriesandsinks. 22. Non-compliantheightof lavatoryinrestroomexceedsmaximumheightallowance. ADAAG 606LavatoriesandSinks. ADAAG 606.1General. Lavatoriesandsinks shallcomplywith606. ADAAG 606.3Height. Lavatoriesandsinks shallbeinstalledwiththefrontof thehigherof therimor countersurface34 inches(865 mm)maximumabovethefinishflooror ground. 23. Inaccessiblepapertoweldispenserinrestroom. 24. Non-compliant mounted height of paper towel dispenser in restroom exceeds maximum heightallowance. ADAAG Advisory 606.1General. If soap and towel dispensers are provided,theymustbelocatedwithinthereachrangesspecified in308. ADAAG 308.2Forward Reach.ADAAG 308.2.1Unobstructed. Where a forward reach is unobstructed, the high forward reach shall be48inchesmaximumand thelowforward reachshallbe15inchesminimumabovethefinishflooror ground. ADAAG 308.2.2ObstructedHighReach. Where a high forward reach is over an obstruction, theclearfloorspaceshallextendbeneaththe element for a distance not less than the required reach depth over the obstruction. The high forward reach shall be 48 inches maximumwherethereachdepthis20inchesmaximum.Where the reach depth exceeds 20 inches, the high forward reach shall be 44 inches maximum and the reachdepthshallbe25inchesmaximum. ADAAG 308.3SideReach.ADAAG 308.3.1Unobstructed. Where aclearflooror ground spaceallowsaparallelapproachtoanelementandthesidereachis unobstructed,thehighsidereachshallbe48inchesmaximumandthelowsidereachshallbe 15inchesminimumabovethefinishflooror ground. ADAAG 308.3.2ObstructedHighReach. Where a clear floor or ground space allows a parallel approach to an element and the high side reach is over an obstruction, the height of the obstruction shall be 34 inches maximum and the depth of the obstruction shall be 24 inches maximum. The high side reach shall be 48 inches maximum for a reach depth of 10 inches maximum. Where the reach depth exceeds 10 inches, thehighsidereachshallbe46inchesmaximumfor areachdepthof 24inchesmaximum. 25. Inaccessiblewaterclosetinrestroom. 26. Requiredminimumclearancenotprovidedatwaterclosetinrestroom. ADAAG 604WaterClosetsandToiletCompartments ADAAG 604.3Clearance. Clearancesaroundwaterclosetsandintoiletcompartmentsshallcomplywith604.3. ADAAG 604.3.1Size. Clearance around a water closet shallbe60inches(1525 mm)minimummeasuredperpendicular from the side wall and 56 inches (1420 mm) minimum measured perpendicular from the rear wall. 27. Requiredgrabbarnotprovidedonrearwallof waterclosetinrestroom. ADAAG 604WaterClosetsandToiletCompartments ADAAG 604.5Grab Bars. Grab bars for waterclosetsshallcomplywith609. Grab bars shallbeprovidedonthesidewallclosesttothewaterclosetandontherearwall. 28. Non-compliant position of plumbing valves located directly behind toilet seat of water closetinrestroom. ADAAG 604WaterClosetsandToiletCompartments. ADAAG Advisory 604.6Flush Controls. If plumbing valves are located directly behind the toilet seat, flush valves and related plumbing can cause injury or imbalance when a person leans back against them.Topreventcausinginjury or imbalance, the plumbing can be locatedbehindwallsor tothesideof thetoilet;or ifapproved bythelocalauthorityhavingjurisdiction,provideatoiletseatlid. 29. Inaccessibleurinalinrestroom. 30. Requiredclearfloorspacenotprovidedaturinalinrestroom. ADAAG 605Urinals ADAAG 605.3ClearFloorSpace. A clear floor or ground space complying with 305 positioned for forward approach shall be provided. ADAAG 305.3Size. The clear floor or ground space shall be 30 inches (760 mm) minimum by48inches(1220 mm) minimum. “[A] defendant who defaults thereby admits all well-pleaded factual allegations contained in the complaint” but “a district court need not agree that the alleged facts constitute a valid cause of action.” City of New York v. Mickalis Pawn Shop, LLC, 645 F.3d 114, 137 (2d Cir. 2011). “[A] district court is required to determine whether the plaintiff’s allegations establish the defendant’s liability as a matter of law.” Id. Subject-matter jurisdiction is proper, as Plaintiff brings his claim under federal law. Personal jurisdiction is also proper, as the Complaint alleges that Defendants maintain a principal place of business in New York State. The Complaint adequately alleges that Plaintiff is entitled to injunctive relief under the ADA. Title III of the ADA states that “[n]o individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, [and] services . . . of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation.” 42 U.S.C. § 12182(a). To prevail on a claim under Title III, a plaintiff must establish “that (1) he or she is disabled within the meaning of the ADA; (2)that the defendant[] own[s], lease[s], or operate[s] a place of public accommodation; and (3) that the defendant[] discriminated against the plaintiff within the meaning of the ADA.” Roberts v. Royal Atl. Corp., 542 F.3d 363, 368 (2d Cir. 2008); accord Chalas v. Pork King Good, No. 22 Civ. 03894, 2023 WL 3293639, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. May 5, 2023). The Complaint alleges that "Plaintiff has a spinal cord T-12 injury and is bound to ambulate in a wheelchair," thus falling within the class of persons protected by the ADA, see 42 U.S.C. § 12183(a)(2); Roberts, 542 F.3d at 368. The facility, which is owned by Defendant Kedo LLC and leased by Defendant El Paso 116 Corp. is a restaurant, which is a “place of accommodation” under the ADA. See 42 U.S.C. § 12181(7)(B). A defendant discriminates if it fails to remove any existing barriers to accessibility where such removal "is readily achievable.” 42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(2)(A)(iv); Roberts, 542 F.3d at 369. The Complaint alleges existing barriers to accessibility, which Defendants have failed to remove, and that the removal of those barriers is readily achievable. B) Plaintiff shall serve a copy of this Default Final Judgment, and all supporting papers by Certified U.S. Mail and file proof of such service on the record. by August 30, 2024.

C) Plaintiff shal havet80-days-after-date ofthe Courts-entry- ofthis Final Default judement

ht id : If Plaintiff intends to file a motion for attorneys’ fees and costs, Plaintiff shall file a letter by September 4, 2024, Stating its intent and requesting a referral to Magistrate Judge Parker for a damages inquest. DONE and ORDERED in New York, New York, this 2° day of August | 2024. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to close the motion at Dkt. No. 20.

Lorna G. SaiCaeb UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE