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A local news station has obtained surveillance videos that highlight how dangerous Seattle Metro buses are for disabled passengers. The station, KIRO 7, filed a Public Disclosure Request and found 51 reports of injuries to disabled riders while on Metro buses since 2009. Anecdotally, we've also seen similar conditions recently in Southern California.
While the Americans with Disabilities Act establishes that no disabled person should face discrimination by a public entity, the filed complaints seem to suggest otherwise.
Some of the filed complaints include:
- One rider whose wheelchair lurched forward on a bus in 2017, resulting in a fractured leg
- A daily Metro rider with cerebral palsy whose arm was trapped in a bus door in 2013, pulling her under the bus and causing one or more of the bus tires to run over her
- A rider who fell from his wheelchair, which wasn’t strapped properly, hitting his head in 2016
Many of the complaints allege that bus operators did not safely strap in wheelchairs or other equipment, which caused the injuries.
Some disabled locals have complained about drivers who they feel have discriminated against them because of the time they take to board and settle on the bus safely.
About the Americans With Disabilities Act
Passed in 1990, the ADA is a civil rights law that bans discrimination against disabled individuals in all areas, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places.
There are five sections that relate to different areas:
- Title I – Employment: This area helps disabled individuals access the same employment opportunities and benefits as people without disabilities.
- Title II – State and Local Government: This title prohibits discrimination against disabled individuals in all programs and services of public entities.
- Title III – Public Accommodations: Private places of public accommodation, like golf courses and movie theaters, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities.
- Title IV – Telecommunications: Phone and internet companies need to provide services to help those with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate.
- Title V – Miscellaneous Provisions: This discusses the ADA’s relationship to other laws.
How We Help
If you’ve been injured as a disabled person because of negligence, or if you’ve been discriminated against because of your disability, you need a team of disability rights lawyers who know how to defend your rights. Our lawyers believe you deserve to be treated with respect and in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
We’ve helped many individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including:
- Hearing impairments
- Learning disabilities
- Mobility impairments
- Vision impairments
Our team has helped individuals eliminate barriers preventing them from moving around safely, such as barriers in parking lots, paths of entry, and business interiors. We strive to make public facilities as accessible as possible.
Dedicated to Helping the Injured
At Manning Law, APC, our attorneys are committed to pursuing justice for those who have been injured in an accident. Whether you are disabled and have been injured on a bus, have been bitten by a dog, or have been involved in a car accident with a Lyft or Uber driver, our personal injury attorneys want to help. You shouldn’t have to be in any more pain because of the negligent actions of another party – we’re here to help you heal by fighting for the compensation you deserve.
If you are encountering dangers or have been injured as a disabled person, call Manning Law, APC at (800) 783-5006, or contact us online. Our disability rights attorneys seek to help those with limited mobility and create a more inclusive world through our legal services.