The Irvine-based LA Fitness chain was hit with a lawsuit Tuesday by the federal government for allegedly discriminating against people with disabilities at its gyms.
LA Fitness, operated by Fitness International LLC, is the largest chain of owner-operated fitness clubs in the United States, with nearly 700 locations across the country, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles by the U.S. Department of Justice alleges LA Fitness violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by charging people who need help to use the clubs extra fees to have a friend, nurse or personal assistant help them.
LA Fitness representatives could not be reached for immediate comment.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the ADA requires LA Fitness to give people with disabilities equal access to the chain's services and facilities, remove architectural barriers to make its facilities accessible to people with disabilities and maintain access. The ADA also prohibits the company from charging extra fees to people with disabilities, according to the suit.
The DOJ is asking the court to require LA Fitness to ensure that its facilities and equipment are accessible for the disabled. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for those harmed by LA Fitness' allegedly discriminatory policies, including customers blocked from access and allegedly subjected to broken equipment.
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