LAW ALERT: Disability Access Claim Under Unruh Doesn’t Require Showing Intentional Discrimination
Published: July 7, 2009
Download: A Disability Access Claim under the Unruh Act.pdf
The California Supreme Court has finally settled the troubling issue of whether intentional discrimination must be shown to prove a disability access claim under the California Unruh Act. In Munson v. Del Taco, Inc., the Court decided the issue after it was certified to the California Supreme Court from the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit because of the conflicting decisions in federal and state courts.
Plaintiff, Munson, was a disabled person who claimed that when he visited Del Taco in San Bernardino, he encountered numerous architectural barriers that prevented his equal access. He sued Del Taco under the federal ADA and the California Unruh Act. The Unruh Act prohibits discrimination by business establishments in California on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
After summary judgment proceedings, Del Taco appealed arguing that the Unruh Act requires a showing of intent. The Court of Appeal certified the following issue to the California Supreme Court: “Must a plaintiff who seeks damages under California Civil Code § 52, claiming the denial of full and equal treatment on the basis of disability in violation of the Unruh Act, prove intentional discrimination?”
In answering the question, the California Supreme Court examined the original language and history of the Unruh Act and the various cases interpreting it. It noted that in 2001, it ruled in Harris v. Capital Growth Investors XIV, that proof of intentional discrimination was necessary to establish a violation of the Act. However, it went on to explain that in 2002, the state Legislature amended the Act to include ADA violations as violations of the Unruh Act. Under the ADA, there is no requirement that intentional discrimination be shown to establish a violation of the Act. Therefore, the California Supreme Court held that proof of intentional discrimination was not necessary to establish a violation of the Unruh Act based on the public accommodation provision of the ADA.
Lizbeth “Beth” West is a shareholder in the Labor and Employment Law Section and Disputes, Trials & Appeals Section at Weintraub Genshlea Chediak. Beth’s practice focuses on counseling employers in all areas of employment law, and defending employers in state and federal court, as well as before administrative agencies. She has extensive experience in defending wage and hour claims, and complex whistle-blowing and retaliation claims. She also provides training services on various employment issues, such as sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. If you have any questions about this Legal Alert or other employment law related questions, please feel free to contact Beth West at (916) 558-6082. For additional articles on employment law issues, please visit Weintraub’s law blog at www.thelelawblog.com.