Hon. Maria-Elena James
United States Magistrate Judge (Ret.)

Available for Mediations

ADA & Disability Access

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

  • Plaintiff and family appealed an administrative decision (deemed to be denying plaintiff an education in American Sign Language), alleging disability discrimination and violation of Plaintiff’s right to public education under 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400, et seq., 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., and 29 U.S.C. §§ 794, et seq. Settled.
  • Plaintiffs (student and student’s family) brought action against defendants for breaching settlement agreement by failing/refusing to provide agreed-upon services and reimbursements to plaintiffs, under 20 U.S.C. §§ 1400, et seq., and 1415, 29 U.S.C. § 794, et seq., 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988, and 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201-02.
  • Plaintiff sued his university for failing to (timely) accommodate his vision disability, action brought under 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., Cal. Civ. Code §§ 51-52, and 29 U.S.C. § 794.
  • Plaintiffs, a mother and her dependent children, sued defendants after their alleged failure to accommodate her disability led to her family becoming homeless, brought under 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., 42 U.S.C. § 3604, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Cal. Civ. Code § 51, and Cal. Gov. Code § 11135. Settled.
  • Defendants (public housing authorities and their employees) allegedly refused to accommodate plaintiff renter’s disability, and failed to provide safe and habitable housing, which led to pest infestations and plaintiff’s catching a disease, so plaintiff filed suit under 18 U.S.C. § 1961, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1345, 1367, and 1441, and 42 U.S.C. §§ 3601, et seq. (Fair Housing Act), 3612, 3614, 3617, 12101, et seq. (Americans with Disabilities Act), and 12203 (Title V of the Civil Rights Act).
  • Public facility purported to be accessible, wheelchair-bound plaintiff denied access due to wheelchair lift seemingly never being repaired, filed suit under 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq., Cal. Gov. Code §§ 4450, et seq., and 11135, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 24-2, and Cal. Civ. Code §§ 51, 52, 54, 54.1, 54.3, and 55.
  • Plaintiff sued employer over termination of long-term disability plan benefits, brought under 28 U.S.C. § 1132.
  • Disabled persons filed suit against various city officials, alleging that many city facilities, programs, and services were not accessible to persons with disabilities, action brought under 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq. (ADA), 29 U.S.C. § 794 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973), Cal. Civ. Code §§ 5, et seq., and 54, et seq., Cal. Gov. Code §§ 11135, et seq., and 42 U.S.C. § 1983.