The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Washington has reached a settlement with 24-Hour Fitness after allegations that the fitness chain did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as announced by U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. This agreement comes with a requirement for 24-Hour Fitness to pay the complainant $2,000 and implement new protocols for ADA compliance along with employee training, despite the company's stance that they did not engage in any wrongdoing. stated the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Originating from a member's complaint at the Vancouver, Washington location of 24-Hour Fitness, the investigation centered on an accessible shower in the women's locker room that was out of service for months due to repairs. Confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the accessible shower's prolonged unavailability was a key concern that spurred this agreement. In the terms set out, every six months 24-Hour Fitness will conduct surveys aimed at identifying issues with ADA compliance and will also create daily observation protocols to ensure the accessibility features remain usable.
Moreover, the settlement demands 24-Hour Fitness to submit draft policies for review by the U.S. Attorney's Office, designed to reinforce their commitment to ADA compliance across all locations. Additionally, the fitness company is to maintain a complaint process readily available for addressing allegations or concerns of discrimination based on disability. Any forthcoming complaints are to be swiftly addressed, with the company expected to respond within five business days once they are notified by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Alongside paying the complainant, 24-Hour Fitness is also required to pay a sum of $10,000 to the U.S. Attorney's Office. This fee, however, hangs in suspension provided the company successfully upholds all aspects of the settlement over a two-year period. Looking forward to accountability, the fitness chain is set to report their compliance with the ADA in Washington facilities every twelve months, with a keen eye for upholding the standards that the settlement has outlined. Assistant United States Attorney Susan Kas, who also serves as the Civil Rights Coordinator within the Civil Division, was the main negotiator for this settlement with 24-Hour Fitness.
