Chavez v. Won ( 2020 )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 RORY CHAVEZ, ) Case No.: 1:19-cv-0595 JLT ) 12 Plaintiff, ) ORDER VACATING THE HEARING DATE OF ) DECEMBER 18, 2020 13 v. ) ) ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION 14 YONG KYUN WON, et al., ) FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND ) REQUEST TO DECLINE SUPPLEMENTAL 15 Defendants. ) JURISDICTION ) (Doc. 45) 16 ) 17 Rory Chavez asserts he encountered disability access barriers when visiting Havana House 18 Smoke Shop and seeks to hold Yong Kyun Wong, Young Ae Wong, and GIJ Enterprises liable for 19 violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Unruh Civil Rights Act. (See Doc. 1) Defendants 20 seek summary adjudication of Plaintiff’s claim under the ADA. In addition, Defendants contend the 21 Court should decline supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims (Doc. 45) Plaintiff opposes 22 the motion, asserting there is no admissible evidence that Defendants’ property complies with the 23 ADA, and the Court should maintain supplemental jurisdiction. (Doc. 46) 24 The Court finds the matter suitable for decision without oral arguments, and the matter is taken 25 under submission pursuant to Local Rule 230(g). Therefore, the hearing date of December 18, 2020 is 26 VACATED. For the reasons set forth below, Defendants’ motion is DENIED. 27 /// 28 /// 1 I. Background and Undisputed Facts1 2 Plaintiff “is a California resident with physical disabilities” and he “uses a wheelchair for 3 mobility.” (Doc. 1 at 1, ¶ 1; DSF 1) Plaintiff alleges that in December 2018, he visited Havana House 4 Smoke Shop, which is located at 3221 Niles Street in Bakersfield, California. (Id. at 2-3, ¶¶ 5, 10) The 5 real property at that location is owned by Yong Kyun Wong and Young Ae Wong, and defendant GIJ 6 Enterprises operated Havana House Smoke Shop at the time of Plaintiff’s visit. (Id. at 2, ¶¶ 3-5; see 7 also Doc. 45 at 6) 8 Plaintiff asserts he went to Havana House Smoke Shop “with the intention to avail himself of its 9 goods or services and to assess the business for compliance with the disability access laws.” (Doc. 1 at 10 3, ¶ 10) He reports the store “is a facility open to the public, a place of public accommodation, and a 11 business establishment.” (Id., ¶ 11) Plaintiff alleges “[p]arking spaces are one of the facilities, 12 privileges, and advantages offered by Defendants to patrons of the Store.” (Id., ¶ 12) According to 13 Plaintiff, on the date of his visit, “the defendants did not provide accessible parking in conformance 14 with the ADA Standards.” (Id., ¶ 13) In addition, Plaintiff reports that “the defendants did not provide 15 accessible paths of travel leading to the entrance of the Store in conformance with the ADA Standards.” 16 (Id., ¶ 16) Plaintiff “personally encountered” the identified barriers, which “denied the plaintiff full and 17 equal access” to the store. (Id., ¶¶ 18-19) 18 At the time of the complaint was filed in May 2019, Plaintiff reported the barriers remained and 19 Defendants did not provide accessible parking or accessible paths of travel in compliance with the 20 ADA standards. (Doc. 1 at 3, ¶¶ 14, 17) Plaintiff asserts he would return to Havana House Smoke 21 22 1 The parties did not prepare a Joint Statement of Undisputed Facts, and Plaintiff reports that Defendants failed to properly engage in the meet and confer process. (Doc. 46 at 4) Pursuant to the Court’s scheduling order, the parties were to 23 meet and confer about issues to be raised in any motion for summary adjudication “[a]t least 21 days before filing” and the party seeking summary adjudication was to proposed statement of undisputed facts at least five days before the conference.” (Doc. 28 at 3-4, emphasis in original) Further, the parties were informed: “In the notice of motion the moving 24 party SHALL certify that the parties have met and conferred as ordered above, or set forth a statement of good cause for the failure to meet and confer. Failure to comply may result in the motion being stricken.” (Id. at 4, emphasis in 25 original) Despite this, Plaintiff reports that Defendants did not attempt to meet and confer until five days before filing the motion now pending before the Court. (Doc. 46 at 4) Defendants do not dispute this, as no reply was filed. Notably, Defendants did not file a notice of motion, and did not certify their compliance with the meet and confer requirement. The 26 Court does not condone these failures to comply with its orders or the Local Rules regarding the filing of a motion. Defendants are informed that any such future failures will result in the motion being dropped from the Court’s 27 calendar. Nevertheless, Plaintiff has responded to the merits of the motion and Defendants’ separate statement of facts. 28 (See Doc. 46-1 at 1-3) To the extent the Court finds Defendants’ facts are undisputed and admissible evidence supports the facts, such facts are identified as DSF. 1 Shop “to avail himself of goods or services and to determine compliance with the disability access laws 2 once it is represented to him that the Store and its facilities are accessible.” (Id. at 4, ¶ 23) However, 3 he was “deterred from doing so because of his knowledge of the existing barriers and his uncertainty 4 about the existence of yet other barriers on the site.” (Id.) Thus, Plaintiff seeks to hold Defendants 5 liable for violations of the ADA and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act. (See generally Doc. 1) 6 Defendants filed their second motion for summary adjudication, which is now pending before 7 the Court, on November 3, 2020. (Doc. 45) Defendants contend Plaintiff’s request “for injunctive 8 relief must be dismissed because it is moot: all of the paint striping and signage for the accessible 9 parking spaces at the [Store] presently comply with current accessibility standards under both federal 10 and state law.” (Doc. 45 at 6) In addition, Defendants assert “the Court should decline to exercise 11 supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s state law claims.” (Id.) Plaintiff filed his opposition to the 12 motion on December 4, 2020. (Doc. 46) Defendants not file a reply. 13 II. Legal Standards for Summary Judgment 14 The “purpose of summary judgment is to pierce the pleadings and to assess the proof in order to 15 see whether there is a genuine need for trial.” Matsuhita Elec. Indus. Co. Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 16 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986) (citation omitted). Summary judgment is appropriate when there is “no 17 genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. 18 R. Civ. P. 56(a). In addition, Rule 56 allows a court to grant summary adjudication, or partial summary 19 judgment, when there is no genuine issue of material fact as to a particular claim or portion of that 20 claim. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see also Lies v. Farrell Lines, Inc., 641 F.2d 765, 769 n.3 (9th Cir. 1981) 21 (“Rule 56 authorizes a summary adjudication that will often fall short of a final determination, even of 22 a single claim…”) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). The standards that apply on a 23 motion for summary judgment and a motion for summary adjudication are the same. See Fed. R. Civ. 24 P. 56 (a), (c); Mora v. Chem-Tronics, 16 F. Supp. 2d 1192, 1200 (S.D. Cal. 1998). 25 Summary judgment, or summary adjudication, should be entered “after adequate time for 26 discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the 27 existence of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of 28 proof at trial.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). The moving party bears the “initial 1 responsibility” of demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 2 323. An issue of fact is genuine only if there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable fact finder to find 3 for the non-moving party, while a fact is material if it “might affect the outcome of the suit under the 4 governing law.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); Wool v. Tandem 5 Computers, Inc., 818 F.2d 1422, 1436 (9th Cir. 1987). A party demonstrates summary adjudication is 6 appropriate by “informing the district court of the basis of its motion, and identifying those portions of 7 ‘the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with affidavits, 8 if any,’ which it believes demonstrates the absence of a genuine issue of material fact.” Celotex, 477 9 U.S. at 323 (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)). 10 If the moving party meets its initial burden, the burden then shifts to the opposing party to 11 present specific facts that show there is a genuine issue of a material fact. Fed R. Civ. P. 56(e); 12 Matsuhita, 475 U.S. at 586. An opposing party “must do more than simply show that there is some 13 metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.” Id. at 587. The party is required to tender evidence of 14 specific facts in the form of affidavits, and/or admissible discovery material, in support of its contention 15 that a factual dispute exits. Id. at 586 n.11; Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c). The opposing party is not required to 16 establish a material issue of fact conclusively in its favor; it is sufficient that “the claimed factual 17 dispute be shown to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties’ differing versions of the truth at trial.” 18 T.W. Electrical Serv., Inc. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Assoc., 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 1987). 19 However, “failure of proof concerning an essential element of the nonmoving party’s case necessarily 20 renders all other facts immaterial.” Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. 21 The Court must apply standards consistent with Rule 56 to determine whether the moving party 22 demonstrated there is no genuine issue of material fact and judgment is appropriate as a matter of law. 23 Henry v. Gill Indus., Inc., 983 F.2d 943, 950 (9th Cir. 1993). In resolving a motion for summary 24 judgment, the Court can only consider admissible evidence. Orr v. Bank of America, NT & SA, 285 25 F.3d 764, 773 (9th Cir. 2002) (citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e); Beyene v. Coleman Sec. Servs., Inc., 854 26 F.2d 1179, 1181 (9th Cir. 1988)). Further, evidence must be viewed “in the light most favorable to the 27 nonmoving party” and “all justifiable inferences” must be drawn in favor of the nonmoving party. Orr, 28 285 F.3d at 772; Addisu v. Fred Meyer, Inc., 198 F.3d 1130, 1134 (9th Cir. 2000). 1 III. Evidence before the Court 2 Pursuant to Rule 56(c) of the Federal Rules of the Civil Procedure, “an affidavit or declaration 3 used to support or oppose a motion must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that would be 4 admissible in evidence, and show that the affiant or declarant is competent to testify on the matters 5 stated.” 6 A. Expert Opinions 7 Under the Federal Rules, “[i]f scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist 8 the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an 9 expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify thereto in the form of an 10 opinion or otherwise.” Fed. R. Evid. 702. However, “an expert witness cannot give an opinion as to [a] 11 legal conclusion, i.e., an opinion on an ultimate issue of law.” Nationwide Transp. Fin. v. Cass Info. 12 Sys., Inc., 523 F.3d 1051, 1058 (9th Cir. 2008); see also Crow Tribe of Indians v. Racicot, 87 F.3d 13 1039, 1045 (9th Cir. 1996) (“Expert testimony is not proper for issues of law.... They do not testify 14 about the law.”) (citations and quotation marks omitted). 15 B. Statements of Christy Kim 16 Plaintiff objects to statements made by Christy Kim in her declaration and the Certified Access 17 Specialist Inspection Report dated October 6, 2020 (“the CASp Report”). (See Doc. 46-1) The site 18 visit was performed on September 22, 2020 by Sarah Ibrahim, EIT (Engineering-In-Training). (Doc. 19 45-3 at 6; see also Doc. 45 at 3, Kim Decl. ¶ 5). Ms. Kim reports she is a California Access Specialist 20 and California Registered Architect, and she “personally reviewed site inspection report conducted by 21 Sarah Ibrahim.” (Id. at 3, Kim Decl. ¶¶ 1, 5). 22 Ms. Kim reported that based on her review, “the elements of the Facility identified in Plaintiff’s 23 Complaint are compliant under federal and state accessibility standards.” (Doc. 45-4 at 3, ¶ 7) 24 Specifically, Ms. Kim asserts: 25 Presently, the Facility has, among others, accessible parking space that contains International Symbol of Accessibility sign and Van Accessible sign with the language 26 “Minimum Fine $250,” which are mounted with the bottom edge of at least 60 inches above the ground surface. Accessible parking space provide a clear and visible 27 International Symbol of Accessibility on the surface of the space. Markings are provided on the access aisle to discourage parking in them. Access aisles are painted 28 blue borderline around the perimeter and marked with hatched lines 36 inches 1 maximum on center. “NO PARKING” marking is painted on the surface of the access aisles in white letters and 12 inch height minimum. Further, accessible path of travel is 2 provided from the accessible parking space leading to the entrance of the former Havana House Smoke Shop previously located at Facility. 3 4 (Doc. 45-3 at 3-4, Kim Decl. ¶ 7) 5 Plaintiff objects to the statements in Paragraph 7 of Ms. Kim’s declaration, asserting she offers 6 only legal conclusions regarding accessibility and compliance federal and state standards governing 7 parking and path of travel. (Doc. 46-1 at 2-3) Plaintiff contends the CASp Report suffers the same 8 infirmities because there is no information regarding the measurements taken for the path of travel. 9 (Doc. 46 at 7-9) 10 C. Analysis 11 An expert may not offer a legal conclusion or testimony on “issues of law.” Crow Tribe of 12 Indians, 87 F.3d at 1045; see also United States v. Duncan, 42 F.3d 97, 101 (2d Cir.1994) (“When an 13 expert undertakes to tell the jury what result to reach, this does not aid the jury in making a decision, 14 but rather attempts to substitute the expert’s judgment for the jury’s.”). Significantly, whether there is 15 compliance with ADA regulations is “a legal conclusion.” See, e.g., See Anderson v. Rochester- 16 Genesee Reg'l Transp. Auth., 337 F.3d 201, 216 (2d Cir. 2003) (“ADA compliance” was a "legal 17 conclusion[]”); Arroyo v. Denaco, LLC, 2020 WL 2477682 at *2 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 20, 2020) (identifying 18 accessibility and “in conformance with the ADA standards” as “legal conclusions,” not facts). 19 Courts have repeatedly stricken statements from experts regarding ADA compliance where the 20 expert failed to identify any factual support for the opinions. See, e.g., Kalani v. Starbucks Corp., 81 21 F.Supp. 3d 876, 881-84 (N.D. Cal. 2015) (excluding statements from an expert “as impermissible legal 22 conclusions”); Sharp v. Islands Cal. Ariz. LP, 900 F. Supp. 2d 1101, 1112 (S.D. Cal. 2012) (statement 23 that the “waiting area is accessible to wheelchair users and complies with all ADAAG requirements” 24 was an improper legal conclusion); Feltenstein v. City of New Rochelle, 254 F.Supp. 3d 647, 657 25 (N.Y.S.D. 2017) (finding the expert “makes legal conclusions of compliance with the ADA without 26 providing sufficient detail” and denying summary judgment); see also Miller v. California Speedway 27 Corp., 453 F. Supp. 2d 1193 (C.D. Cal. 2006), reversed on other grounds by 536 F.3d 1020 (9th Cir. 28 2008) (concluding the expert offered an impermissible conclusion of law where the expert opined that 1 “the subject seating does in fact comply with the applicable” laws and regulations, without identifying 2 any factual support for that conclusion). 3 For example, in Kalani, the Northern District court excluded “several paragraphs of Defendant's 4 expert’s declaration as impermissible legal conclusions that cannot support a finding of summary 5 judgment.” Id., 81 F.Supp. 3d at 884. In Kalani, the expert indicated: 6 A) Plaintiff's allegations in his First Amended Complaint (Court Docket No. 32-1) are without merit. 7 B) The subject store fully complies with all federal and state access regulations as 8 Plaintiff ROBERT KALANI alleges them and as they relate to his disability of a mobility impaired person who uses an automatic wheelchair. As of November 4, 2014, 9 the facility is free of non-compliant issues. 10 C) The disabled, van accessible parking spot and access aisle in front of the store complies with all applicable access requirements after the renovation. A proper 11 accessible route is provided from this parking spot to the front door. 12 Id. at 882. The court found no factual support for the expert’s opinions, where no information was 13 provided regarding measurements. Id. In contrast, the court noted the expert’s statement that a pick-up 14 counter … complies with access regulations,” was supported where the expert also indicated the 15 counter “now provides a length of 36 inches and a height of 34 inches.” Id. Given the lack of 16 measurements or other factual support regarding the parking spot and an accessible pathway, the court 17 sustained the objections to the expert’s statements in Paragraphs A, B, and C as “impermissible legal 18 conclusions lacking factual support.” Id. at 883. Thus, the court concluded the expert’s statements 19 were “an insufficient basis on which to grant summary judgment.” Id. (citing Sharp, 900 F. Supp. 2d at 20 1112). 21 Ms. Kim provides some observable facts: she notes that the bottom of the sign is placed 60” 22 above the surface and that the space is painted in the symbol depicting that it is reserved for disabled 23 drivers. She saw that there were markings to the side of the space to discourage drivers from parking 24 in that area. She notes that she was access aisles are painted on the surface and they are “marked with 25 hatched lines 36 inches maximum on center.” She also saw a “NO PARKING” marking painted on 26 the surface of the access aisles in white letters that were at least 12 inches high. None of these 27 statements are conclusion. Where she goes awry is with her conclusion about the path of travel from 28 the former Havana House and that the space is “accessible.” Without the facts upon which Ms. Kim 1 concludes that the space and the path of travel are “accessible,” the Court cannot evaluate the validity 2 of her conclusions. 3 Failing to provide the measurements taken of the ramp or the route from the parking lot to the 4 entrance of Havana House Smoke Shop, such that the Court could determine whether the path of travel 5 is now in compliance with the applicable standards, Ms. Kim’s declaration fails. Furthermore, there is 6 no information regarding how Ms. Ibrahim measured the slope, or whether the measurements were 7 taken in compliance with the ADA Guidelines and “Dimensional Tolerances in Construction and for 8 Surface Accessibility.” See, e.g., Langer v. Garcia, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 65871 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 8, 9 2019) (finding a party erred where the inspector took measurement’s and concluded the applicable 10 slopes were 2.5 and 3% but failed to take measurements in conformity with the ADA Guidelines). 11 Given the lack of factual support, the statements from Ms. Kim regarding accessibility and compliance 12 for the path of travel are no more than improper legal conclusions. See Kalani, 81 F.Supp.3d at 884; 13 Sharp, 900 F.Supp.2d at 1112. Plaintiff’s objections to the statements found in Paragraph 7 of Ms. 14 Kim’s declaration and the CASp Report are SUSTAINED. 15 D. Evidence Considered by the Court 16 The Court, as a matter of course, has not factored into its analysis any statements identified by 17 either party that are speculative or represent a legal conclusion. See Burch, 433 F. Supp.2d at 1119 18 (“statements in declarations based on speculation or improper legal conclusions, or argumentative 19 statements, are not facts and likewise will not be considered on a motion for summary judgment.”) 20 (citation omitted, emphasis in original). Thus, the Court has relied upon only evidence it has deemed 21 admissible.2 In addition, the Court will consider only those facts that are supported by admissible 22 evidence and to which there is no genuine dispute. 23 IV. Discussion and Analysis 24 Defendants seek summary adjudication of Plaintiff’s claim under Title III of the ADA, asserting 25 26 2 For example, Defendants attached several photos as Exhibit 1 to their motion. (Doc. 30-4) However, there is no 27 information regarding when these photos were taken, and the photos have not been authenticated. Thus, the photographs are not deemed admissible. In addition, Plaintiff submitted a declaration in support of his opposition to the motion, but the 28 declaration was not signed or dated. (See Doc. 37-4 at 2) 1 his claim for injunctive relief is moot. (Doc. 30-1 at 7-10) In addition, Defendants argue the Court 2 should decline to exercise jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s claim for a violation of California’s Unruh Civil 3 Rights Act, seek dismissal of Plaintiff’s state law claim. (Id. at 10-15) 4 A. First Cause of Action: Violations of the ADA 5 Title III of the ADA prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in places of public 6 accommodation, and provides in relevant part: “No individual shall be discriminated against on the 7 basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, 8 advantages, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases 9 (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation.” 42 U.S.C. § 12182(a). For purposes of 10 Title III, discrimination includes “a failure to remove architectural barriers . . . in existing facilities . . . 11 where such removal is readily achievable.” Id. § 12182(b)(2)(A)(iv). Thus, the Ninth Circuit 12 determined: 13 To prevail on a Title III discrimination claim, the plaintiff must show that (1) she is disabled within the meaning of the ADA; (2) the defendant is a private entity that owns, 14 leases, or operates a place of public accommodation; and (3) the plaintiff was denied public accommodations by the defendant because of her disability. 15 16 Molski v. M.J. Cable, Inc., 481 F.3d 724, 730 (9th Cir. 2007). A plaintiff need not show intentional 17 discrimination to make out an ADA violation. Lentini v. California Ctr. for the Arts, Escondido, 370 18 F.3d 837, 846 (9th Cir. 2004). 19 1. Plaintiff’s prima facie case 20 Defendants do not argue Plaintiff fails to satisfy the elements of a Title III claim. (See Doc. 30- 21 1 at 7) It is undisputed Plaintiff is paralyzed from his chest down and uses a wheelchair for mobility. 22 Yong Kyun Won and Young Ae Won are the owners of the real property, and the Havana House 23 Smoke Shop was operated by GIJ Enterprises at the time Plaintiff visited the store. (See Doc. 30-1 at 6; 24 Doc. 38) Furthermore, Havana House Smoke Shop was a place of public accommodation, as a retail 25 store and sales establishment. See 42 U.S.C. § 12181(7)(E). Finally, Defendants do not dispute 26 Plaintiff encountered barriers that caused him to be denied access to the store, including parking that 27 28 1 was not accessible and greater slope than permissible in the path of travel.3 (See Doc. 30-1 at 7; Doc. 2 37 at 5) 3 2. Injunctive relief 4 The ADA authorizes only injunctive relief for disabled individuals who suffer prohibited 5 discrimination and does not provide for the recovery of monetary damages by private individuals. See 6 42 U.S.C. § 12188(a)(2); Pickern v. Holiday Quality Foods, Inc., 293 F.3d 1133, 1136 (9th Cir. 2002). 7 Defendants contend Plaintiff’s request for injunctive relief is moot, because of the barriers Plaintiff 8 encountered were removed. (Doc. 30-1 at 8-9) 9 Defendants observe, “The law is well established that a defendant’s remedial efforts will render 10 a plaintiff’s ADA claim for injunctive relief moot.” (Doc. 30-1 at 8, citing, e.g., Gasper v. Marie 11 Callendar Pie Shops, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 96929 at *4 (C.D. Cal. June 27, 2006)) Indeed, the 12 Supreme Court determined that a claim for injunctive is moot if “it is absolutely clear that the allegedly 13 wrongful behavior could not reasonably be expected to occur.” Friends of the Earth, Inc. v. Laidlaw 14 Environmental Services, 528 U.S. 167, 190 (2000). Thus, a claim for a violation of the ADA is 15 rendered moot where “all of plaintiff’s concerns … have been addressed and corrected.” Pickern v. 16 Best Western Timber Cove Lodge, 194 F. Supp. 2d 1128, 1130 (E.D. Cal. 2002). 17 Defendants assert that the barriers encountered by Plaintiff in the parking area and his path of 18 travel to the store have been removed and corrected. (See Doc. 30-1 at 9-10) However, Defendants fail 19 to present any admissible evidence demonstrating the barriers have been removed or corrective efforts 20 undertaken. Defendants have not provided “measurements for slopes, height, depth, and length of the 21 barriers’ alleged remediation.” (Doc. 37 at 6) Without such evidence, the Court is unable to determine 22 whether the parking area and slope on the path of travel are accessible and in compliance with the 23 standards provided by the ADA Accessibility Guidelines, which “provide valuable guidance for 24 determining whether an existing facility contains architectural barriers.” Chapman v. Starbucks Corp., 25 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3570 at *10 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 7, 2011) (citation omitted) Because Defendants fail 26 to establish the barriers no longer exist—or that Plaintiff’s request for injunctive relief is moot—the 27 28 3 To the contrary, Defendants concede the barriers existed, but assert they have been removed. 1 request for summary adjudication of the ADA claim is DENIED. 2 B. Second Cause of Action: Violations of the Unruh Civil Rights Act 3 Plaintiff’s second claim in his Complaint is for a violation of California’s Unruh Civil Rights 4 Act, which provides “[a]ll persons within the jurisdiction of this state are free and equal, and no matter 5 what their …disability, or medical condition are entitled to the full and equal accommodations, 6 advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.” 7 Cal. Civ. Code § 51(b). Notably, the Unruh Act provides that “[a] violation of the right of any 8 individual under the Americans with Disabilities … shall also constitute a violation of this section." 9 Cal. Civ. Code § 51(f). 10 Defendants request that the Court “decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s 11 state law claims” under the Unruh Act. (Doc. 30-1 at 10, emphasis omitted) The Court may decline 12 supplemental jurisdiction over a state law claim if: 13 (1) the claim raises a novel or complex issue of State law, 14 (2) the claim substantially predominates over the claim or claims over which the district court has original jurisdiction, 15 (3) the district court has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction, or 16 (4) in exceptional circumstances, there are other compelling reasons for declining 17 jurisdiction. 18 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c). 19 A court may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction under Section 1367(c) “under any one 20 of [the statute’s] four provisions.” San Pedro Hotel Co., Inc. v. City of L.A., 159 F.3d 470, 478-79 (9th 21 Cir. 1998). When dismissing a state-law claim pursuant to Section 1367(c)(1)-(3), the court need not 22 state its reason for dismissal. Id. However, if a court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction 23 under Section 1367(c)(4), however, the court must “articulate why the circumstances of the case are 24 exceptional.” Exec. Software N. Am., Inc. v. U.S. Dist. Court, 24 F.3d 1545, 1557 (9th Cir. 1994). The 25 Ninth Circuit cautioned that declining supplemental jurisdiction based on Section 1367(c)(4) should be 26 the exception, rather than the rule. Id. at 1558. 27 Defendants argue “at least three of the four statutory grounds exist for this Court to decline 28 supplemental jurisdiction,” including: the dismissal of Plaintiff’s ADA claim, novelty and complexity 1 of the state law claim, and the state law claim predominating over the federal claim. (Doc. 30-1 at 10; 2 see also id. at 10-15) 3 1. Dismissal of claims over which the Court has original jurisdiction 4 As an initial matter, the Court did not find Plaintiff’s ADA claim is moot or dismiss the claim. 5 Consequently, this is not a ground for the Court to decline supplemental jurisdiction. 6 2. Whether the state claim predominates 7 Defendants argue Plaintiff’s state-law claim for a violation of the Unruh Civil Rights Act 8 substantially predominates over the ADA claim because the remedies under the state claim exceed 9 those under the federal claim. (Doc. 30-1 at 14-15) According to Defendants, because “Plaintiff is only 10 entitled to injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees” under the ADA and seeks “$4,000 in statutory damages 11 for each offense” under the Unruh Act, “the Court should… decline to exercise supplemental 12 jurisdiction.” (Id. at 14-15) 13 Courts in the Ninth Circuit have rejected the argument that a claim under the Unruh Act 14 predominates over a claim under the ADA simply because of the difference in available remedies. See, 15 e.g., Moore v. Dollar Tree Stores Inc. 85 F.Supp.3d 1175, 1194 (E.D. Cal. 2015) (“the mere fact that 16 the state claims allow for the recovery of monetary damages, whereas the ADA provides for injunctive 17 relief only, does not compel the conclusion that the state claims ‘substantially predominate’ over the 18 federal claim”); Castillo-Antonio v. Hernandez, 2019 WL 2716289 at *7 (N.D. Cal. June 28, 2019) 19 (“even though the state-law claims provide for more comprehensive remedies, they do not substantially 20 predominate over the ADA claim because the proof required for both the state and federal claims is 21 nearly identical”); Schoors v. Seaport Vill. Operating Co., LLC, 2017 WL 1807954 at *4 (S.D. Cal. 22 May 5, 2017) (holding that although an Unruh Act claim offered more remedies, the Unruh Act claim 23 did not substantially predominate over the ADA claim). Also, the burdens of proof for the ADA and the 24 Unruh Act are the same. Moore, 85 F.Supp. 3d at 1194. Furthermore, “[t]he Unruh claim and the 25 federal claim arise from the same nucleus of operating facts, have the same witnesses, the same 26 evidence, and the same parties.” (Doc. 37 at 17); see also Schoors, 2017 WL 1807954 at *4 (claims 27 under the Unruh Act and ADA “involve identical alleged facts, witnesses, and evidence”). As this 28 Court previously observed, accepting Defendants’ argument that difference in remedies mandates a 1 finding that the state claim predominates “would effectively preclude a district court from ever 2 asserting supplemental jurisdiction over a state law claim under the Unruh Act [in an ADA case].” 3 Johnson v. Barlow, 2007 WL 1723617 at *3 (E.D. Cal. June 9, 2007). Thus, the Court finds Defendants 4 fail to establish the Court should decline supplemental jurisdiction on this basis. 5 3. Whether novel or complex issues are raised 6 Defendants assert, “Courts have long recognized that claims brought pursuant to the Unruh 7 Civil Rights Act raise novel and complex issues of state law, providing another basis for this Court to 8 decline supplemental jurisdiction.” (Doc. 30-1 at 12) According to Defendants, “[i]t is well-settled 9 under California law that there is a conflict with regard to the manner in which damages are calculated” 10 under the Unruh Act. (Id.) In addition, Defendants assert “the passage of Senate Bill 1186 in 2012 11 presents … novel issues of state law.” (Id. at 13) 12 a. Damages calculation 13 The Unruh Act provides in relevant part that “[a] violation of the right of any individual under 14 the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 [] shall also constitute a violation of [the Unruh 15 Act].” Cal. Civ. Code § 51(f). The Unruh Act generally provides for a minimum of $4,000 in statutory 16 damages for each offense. See Cal. Civ. Code § 52. Defendants maintain the provision of damages “for 17 each and every offense” under the Unruh Act is “not well-defined,” and “two district courts have come 18 to conflicting conclusions when dealing with this language.” (Doc. 30-1 at 12) Defendants note that the 19 Southern District permitted recovery for daily damages, while the Northern District determined daily 20 damages were not permitted. (Id., comparing Botosan v. Fitzhugh, 13 F. Supp. 2d 1047 (S.D. Cal. 21 1998) with Doran v. Embassy Suites Hotel, 2002 WL 196166 at *4-5 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 26, 2002)). 22 Plaintiff notes that his “Unruh claim is for a single statutory penalty of $4,000 against both the 23 Wons and GIJ Enterprises, Inc.” (Doc. 37 at 18) Because Plaintiff does not seek damages for repeated 24 visits to Havana House Smoke Shop, the issue identified by Defendants is irrelevant and does not 25 support a conclusion that the Court should decline supplemental jurisdiction. See Moore, 85 F.Supp. 26 3d at 1193 (the issue was “irrelevant to the case at had because Plaintiff does not seek to stack claims 27 across multiple visits”). 28 /// 1 b. Senate Bill 1186 2 According to Defendants, “the passage of Senate Bill 1186 in 2012 presents additional novel 3 issues of state law,” as “this law codified new procedural requirements for disability discrimination 4 lawsuits, including pre-litigation demands for money and the veracity of complaints.” (Doc. 30-1 at 5 13) Defendants observe the bill “codified new procedural requirements for disability discrimination 6 lawsuits, including pre-litigation demands for money and the veracity of complaints.” (Id.) 7 The amendments to Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 425.50 require a plaintiff to identify “[t]he way in 8 which the barrier denied the individual full and equal use or access, or in which it deterred the 9 individual on each particular occasion” and the specific date “on which the encountered the specific 10 access barrier.” Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 425.50(a)) In addition, California law requires a complaint to be 11 verified by the plaintiff, and “[a] complaint filed without verification shall be subject to a motion to 12 strike.” Id. § 425.50(b)) Defendants argue “Plaintiff’s complaint is deficient under § 425.50 in the 13 following ways: (1) Plaintiff’s complaint is not verified; (2) Plaintiff failed to specify the date []he 14 allegedly encountered barriers; [and] (3) Plaintiff failed to state the manner in which the alleged 15 condition denied [him] access on a particular occasion.” (Id.) According to Defendants, the Court 16 should not permit “a plaintiff to litigate the only remaining claims in this forum, which are state law 17 claims, while avoiding the requirements imposed on the litigating of those very state claims in state 18 court.” (Doc. 30-1 at 14) 19 However, Plaintiff’s Unruh Act claim is not the only claim remaining at this juncture and the 20 Defendant has not filed a motion to strike. Pleadings may be amended even at the summary judgment 21 stage. Had the defendant wished to test the pleading, rather that the merits, there was a procedure for 22 doing so. In any event, the Court does not find that, at this juncture, the defense has demonstrated that 23 supplemental jurisdiction should be denied. 24 4. Other compelling reasons 25 Defendants contend the “state court provides a more efficient forum for Plaintiff’s state law 26 claim.” (Doc. 30-1 at 15, emphasis omitted) However, the Unruh Act provides that a violation under 27 the ADA is a violation of the Unruh Act. Cal. Civ. Code § 51(f). If Plaintiff establishes a claim for a 28 violation of the ADA, he also establishes a violation of the Unruh Act. See id. Consequently, “[t]he 1 state and federal claims are so intertwined that it makes little sense to decline supplemental 2 jurisdiction.” Moore, 85 F.Supp. 3d at 1194. Declining supplemental jurisdiction “would create the 3 danger of multiple suits,” an increase in litigation costs for the parties, and “wasted judicial resources.” 4 Id. Thus, contrary to Plaintiff’s assertion, it would be more efficient for Plaintiff’s Unruh Act claim to 5 remain in the federal court. 6 V. Conclusion and Order 7 Defendants fail to present admissible evidence to establish that Plaintiff’s claim for injunctive 8 relief under the ADA is moot. In addition, the Court retains supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s 9 claim under California’s Unruh Act. 10 Based upon the foregoing, the Court ORDERS: Defendants’ motion for partial summary 11 judgment and request for the Court to decline jurisdiction (Doc. 45) is DENIED. 12 13 IT IS SO ORDERED. 14 Dated: December 14, 2020 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 15 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28