Hankins
Hankins v. El Torito Restaurants, Inc.
Opinion
Opinion
Haerle, J.
I. Introduction
This appeal and cross-appeal arise from litigation between Mark Hankins, a disabled man, and the owners and operators of an El Torito restaurant located in Burlingame, California. The litigation was precipitated by Hankins’s visit to the restaurant in October 1991. During that visit, restaurant employees refused to permit Hankins to use an otherwise accessible “employee restroom.” Hankins sought damages and injunctive relief under state and federal law for this denial of access and for other alleged violations of state and federal laws which prohibit discrimination on the basis of a disability and prohibit denying disabled individuals access to public accommodations.
After a court trial, the court found El Torito’s refusal to permit Hankins to use the restroom violated California law and awarded Hankins $80,000 damages. The court also enjoined El Torito from requiring that a recently installed wheelchair lift be accessed and controlled only by restaurant employees. El Torito appeals each of these rulings. El Torito also contends the trial court erred by awarding Hankins’s expert witness fees as part of his damages.