Case: United States v. Fitness International, LLC d/b/a LA Fitness

8:24-cv-02172 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Oct. 8, 2024

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This was a case about a national gym allegedly failing to provide adequate accommodations for individuals with physical disabilities.   On October 8, 2024, the United States Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and Disability Rights Section brought this action against Fitness International, LLC d/b/a LA Fitness in the Central District of California in front of Judge Stephen V. Wilson. The DOJ sued LA Fitness to enforce Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complai…

This was a case about a national gym allegedly failing to provide adequate accommodations for individuals with physical disabilities.  

On October 8, 2024, the United States Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and Disability Rights Section brought this action against Fitness International, LLC d/b/a LA Fitness in the Central District of California in front of Judge Stephen V. Wilson.

The DOJ sued LA Fitness to enforce Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint alleged that Fitness International, the largest chain of owner operated gym and fitness club facilities in the United States, operated inaccessible facilities in violation of the ADA. 

The allegations included the following:

  • inoperable pool and jacuzzi lifts at the LA Fitness locations;
  • broken elevators making access to the building completely inaccessible; and
  • general barriers to accessing various areas of the building. 

The United States requested a jury trial and requested declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages. 

LA Fitness filed a motion to dismiss on December 10, 2024 arguing that the incidents cited in the complaint are disconnected and do not reflect a pattern of failure to accommodate. Judge Wilson held a hearing on February 3, 2025 and no decision was made. As of April 1, 2025, the case is ongoing. 

Summary Authors

Lauren Lewis (4/1/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69236042/parties/united-states-v-fitness-international-llc-dba-la-fitness/


Judge(s)

Wilson, Stephen Victor (California)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

8:24-cv-02172

Complaint

Oct. 8, 2024

Oct. 8, 2024

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69236042/united-states-v-fitness-international-llc-dba-la-fitness/

Last updated Jan. 31, 2026, 1:52 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
20

ORDER by Judge Stephen V. Wilson: granting 19 Non-Resident Attorney Melissa L. Taylormoore APPLICATION to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Defendant Fitness International, LLC, designating Bryan A. Merryman as local counsel. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY (sbou) (Entered: 12/17/2024)

Dec. 17, 2024

Dec. 17, 2024

25

MINUTES OF Motion Hearing held before Judge Stephen V. Wilson re: MOTION to Dismiss Case filed by Defendant 18 - The motion is submitted. Attorney for Plaintiff(s): Anna Bobrow DOJ, Margaret M. Chen DOJ, Nabina Sinha DOJ. Attorney for Defendant(s): Bryan A. Merryman, Melissa Taylormoore. Courtroom Deputy: Paul M. Cruz. Time in Court: 35 mins. Court Reporter: Laura Elias. (pc) (Entered: 02/05/2025)

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

Motion Hearing

Feb. 5, 2025

Feb. 5, 2025

26

Notice of Electronic Filing re Motion Hearing, 25 e-mailed to Cheryl.Rost@usdoj.gov bounced due to ending employment in the Disability Rights Section of the Department of Justice as of January 17, 2025. The primary e-mail address associated with the attorney record has been deleted. Pursuant to Local Rules it is the attorneys obligation to maintain all personal contact information including e-mail address in the CM/ECF system. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (mza) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 02/10/2025)

Feb. 10, 2025

Feb. 10, 2025

36

(IN CHAMBERS) ORDER by Judge Stephen V. Wilson: In light of Plaintiffs failure to file an amended complaint by the deadline set by the Court in its previous order, Plaintiff is ORDERED to show cause in writing no later than July 16, 2025 why this action should not be dismissed for lack of prosecution. SO ORDERED. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (dta) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 8, 2024

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The United States Civil Rights Division and Disability Rights Section

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Fitness International, LLC D/B/A LA Fitness, Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Retailer

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Other Dockets:

Central District of California 8:24-cv-02172

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Disability and Disability Rights:

Cerebral palsy

Mobility impairment

Multiple sclerosis

Discrimination Area:

Accommodation / Leave

Discrimination Basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)