Starbucks Employees Allegedly Discriminated Against Deaf Customers, Civil Right Violation Lawyer Weighs In
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 24, 2013 -- A lawsuit was filed in Federal Court on behalf of 12 customers who accused Starbucks employees of discrimination against a group of deaf customers in New York City. Members of the group claim they were laughed at for how they speak, refused service, and asked to leave the store. According to David Perecman, founder of The Perecman Firm, the discrimination lawsuit claimed violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Individuals with disabilities should be granted the same opportunities for meeting over coffee in a public business as any other people,” said Perecman, a civil rights violation attorney in New York for over 30 years.
Employees at one store went so far as to call police while the group was holding a Deaf Chat Coffee meeting there. The police officers found no wrongdoing and reprimanded the Starbucks employees for calling them, alleged the discrimination lawsuit.
Incidents of discrimination happened at more than one New York City Starbucks, claimed the lawsuit.
Before initiating the lawsuit, members of the group sent an email to Starbuck’s CEO, President and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. A day later, an executive apologized for the “inconvenience we caused you and your friends” and offered a preloaded Starbucks gift card. Starbucks also released a statement condemning intolerance and outlined their stand on inclusion and accessibility.
“Unsurprisingly, the plaintiffs wanted the company to do more to address the discrimination, like launch a full investigation. The lawsuit was filed as an attempt to force Starbucks to do more to ensure that employees did not discriminate against individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing,” said Perecman.
The discrimination case name is “Bitkower et al v. Starbucks Corporation”, and the docket number is 1:13-cv-04777, filed with the United States District Court Southern District of New York.
Individuals who believe they have been victims of a New York civil rights violation, including disability discrimination or sexual harassment in the workplace can contact The Perecman Firm at 212-977-7033.
About David Perecman and The Perecman Firm, PLLC:
For the past 30 years, the New York civil rights violation, medical malpractice, construction accident, and auto accident lawyers at The Perecman Firm, PLLC have handled all types of civil rights violation cases including harassment and discrimination in New York. David Perecman, founder of the Firm, has been recognized for his achievements as an Honoree in the National Law Journal's Hall of Fame, in New York Magazine's "The Best Lawyers in America" and The New York Times Magazine "New York Super Lawyers, Metro Edition" for the years 2007-2010. The prestigious U.S. News & World Report ranks The Perecman Firm among the top 20 personal injury firms in New York City for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
The Firm has recovered millions of dollars for its clients. Among the more recent victories, Mr. Perecman won a $15 million verdict** for a construction accident (Index 112370/03) Supreme Court, New York County, a $5.35 million dollar verdict*** for an automobile accident (Index 2749/04) Supreme Court, Kings County, and a $40 million dollar structured settlement for medical malpractice (Index 2146/03)****Supreme Court, Kings County.
The Perecman Firm serves Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, Upstate NY, Morris County, and Rockland County.
**later settled while on appeal for $7.940 million
*** later settled for $3.5 million
**** total potential payout
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"Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome."
Sherry Ishak, The Perecman Firm, 212-977-7033, [email protected]
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