The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Tuesday, Oct. 8, that is suing the nation’s largest fitness club chain, LA Fitness. It accuses the company of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The lawsuit filed this week alleges many of LA Fitness’ 700 facilities nationwide broke the law by failing to offer those with disabilities equal access to services and facilities at its clubs.
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The DOJ notes that locations in violation had broken elevators and malfunctioning pool lifts. The issues reportedly left some people with mobility issues dangling above pools and some needing to call for help, while others reportedly had to crawl out of the pool on their own.
Court documents reveal that the gym chain charged some members extra for the assistance. When people did complain about problems at clubs, federal authorities assert, “LA Fitness did not fix them for long periods of time.”
The DOJ lawsuit demands that the club make all of its facilities and equipment accessible for those with disabilities, and remedy existing issues.
LA Fitness has yet to respond to the suit, but its website says that the gym does “not discriminate against individuals with disabilities and will take the steps necessary to provide our members with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of our facilities and services, in accordance with applicable laws.”
