PHILADELPHIA – The city of Philadelphia is facing a lawsuit from individuals and three organizations representing persons with disabilities over allegations the city has failed to maintain its sidewalks.
Liberty Resources Inc., Disabled in Action of Pennsylvania Inc., Philadelphia Adapt, Tony Brooks, Liam Dougherty, Fran Fulton and Louis Olivo filed a complaint on Aug. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the city of Philadelphia alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege the city has "shirked its duty" to people with disabilities residing in the city because it has failed to maintain its sidewalks. The plaintiffs allege the city's sidewalks are "dilapidated, disintegrating and teeming with obstructions, making every day travel difficult and dangerous for the thousands of people with disabilities that call Philadelphia home."
The plaintiffs allege they sent a demand letter to the defendant on July 22 to resolve the issue but the city did not respond. The suit states the plaintiffs are not seeking monetary damages.
The plaintiffs are seeking to enjoin the defendant to undertake measures to eliminate physical barriers, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiffs are represented by David Ferleger of David Ferleger Law Office in Jenkintown.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 19-3846