Department Of Justice Is Taking My Case.

[Barberian]

I posted this in the civie site as well. I know most here won't touch the other site with a 10ft pole so I'm also posting it here.
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Today I received a letter back from the Department of Justice in regards to being discriminated against and harassed by Costco employees (membership, large warehouse store chain). I was confronted and harassed about my service dog and refused entry with the dog by the membership checkers at the entrance twice, 7 days apart on two different visits. The DOJ agrees I was discriminated against and harassed by a few of their employees. Even though I complained to management on the first visit, Costco did not train their employees to prevent a second occurrence. On the first visit I I complained to the senior manager at the time.The manager said "I will make sure this doesn't happen again" or something to that effect. It happened my next visit 7 days later and it was even worse.

The preliminary investigation is done, now the case goes to mediation. I will be represented by the DOJ if I read the letter right. Generally if the DOJ gets involved, the plaintiff (me) wins. They won't take the case unless it's pretty solid.

I didn't want it to go this far, but I also don't like being walked on and treated like :poop:. I also don't want others who need service dogs to feel so overwhelmed when they just want to shop, or just to stay at home instead or leave the dog at home when they have a legitimate reason for having it in the first place. I'm overly anxious when I go shopping, not having my sd with me makes it exponentially worse.

 

[Barberian]

Ah crap. As I was about to close the browser I remembered the thread "What is wrong with the U.S.". I hope this doesn't fall under the same thread about frivolous law suits. I think it is legit because of the nature of the harassment and discrimination being against a disabled person. I don't' know how well I present myself here, but in real life, out in public, I'm a mess.

 

[Friday]

Theres a difference between making a stand and saying "Follow the effing law!" and a burgler suing the people he was robbing because he fell through a skylight and hurt his back.

 

[JarHed]

Hey Bar

I hope it works out well for you. Not so much from a monetary point of view but from getting the respect and treatment due a wounded vet. I sometimes still can't believe the asshats out there that have no clue that WE are the ones that have provided the freedoms that they enjoy. I hope it helps to bring some closure for you and perhaps lift your burdens a bit.

Jar

 

[Grizzly]

I don't think it's frivolous Barberian. It falls into the common sense category. This is about a company in violation of the law. It's the companies responsibility to ensure their employees know what the law is. It's clear you have service animal. They should have known this.

Personally I think it shouldn't be the responsibility of the government to tell my business who I can allow and not. It's my business. I should have the right to refuse service to anyone. It reminds me of the news story where the Colorado baker refused to make same sex wedding cakes. The owner has his beliefs. That's his right. But now the government is forcing him.

The free market should dictate how long a company like that would stay in business. Sadly it doesn't work this way. It sounds like Costco stepped into a giant pile of PR shite. A very expensive lesson for the managerial chain.

 

[dutchiedelta]

An official service dog, recognisable as such, should be allowed everywhere. Nothing frivolous or money grabbing about that.

 

[OldDoorGunner]

Sick-um Bar!!!! Oh looks like you did, good boy!!!:D:D:D:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:Costco has their head up their ass, a store that big should know all about the ADA laws. No excuse.....

J R

 

[Spock]

You are right and honorable to do this for your brothers & sisters and school them people; we mention it time & again, much of our problem is the ignorance of the 99% that didn't serve & have no clue about combat beyond what the fake media injects them with. So, if you get a little cash or a bunch for just the anxiety it costs you to decide to stand-up to them than I'm all for it!

I'm in a long-running lawsuit against a government agency for discrimination. I got sick of seeing the rampant abuse within bureaucracy which is why it is the target of my passion so often. When I saw the suicide bomb and how DoD & the Service were treating members it really got to me. Seeing the VA scandal & other scandals involving vets getting exposed justifies raising awareness. You're helping to educate people whether they want it or not and that helps us all in the long run.

 

[Raven]

Your lawsuit isn't frivolous at all. I'm glad that you're standing up for your legal rights after Costco repeatedly violated them.

The point of that other thread was to discuss the lack of personal accountability in this country. If someone slips and falls on the sidewalk out front my property, he shouldn't be able to sue me for his own clumsiness.

 

[BaMuoiBa]

Go for it Bar, there is some Costco middle manager in your neck of the woods who's feeling very lonely right now - and rightly so!

I find it difficult to believe that it's a Costco Policy - you don't stay in business very long sporting that level of stupidity.

Violations of the ADA are not taken lightly at the Federal level - expect an apology along with a monetary settlement. When will they learn?

Ba

 

[dutchiedelta]

Local newspapers love this kind of thing.
Vet with PTSD dog denied access to large store.

After the mediation perhaps but don't take it lying down mate.

 

[Barberian]

Thanx for the support all. I really have mixed feelings on going public with this (beyond the forum). I'm not after publicity, or my 5 min of fame. I just want Costco to correct their mistakes so others don't have to go through what I did. I still have a hard time entering the store, expecting to be harassed again. I start stressing as soon as I learn we are going to Costco, and it doesn't let up until after we leave. The only way to get most companies attention is to hurt their bottom line.

Once the case is settled, then I may go public to add insult to injury against Costco and I won't have to worry about a libel or defamation case against me if I lose the case . A news headline of (store) pays fine for discrimination against disabled veteran handler and his sd will hold a lot more weight than "Disabled vet claims discrimination against (store). If you Google it, there are a lot of stories like mine. They are almost always right at the beginning of the story. Often the cases wash out for one reason or another, usually proof the dog is trained, the owner classifies as disabled by a doctor or shrink, and that a qualifying act of discrimination occurred (proof). I have all in a nice neat little package. I called the police on the second instance and the officer took a report. The report has an admission from a manager that the incident took place and it was the second time in a week.