A legal complaint has been filed alleging that a local business property is not accessible to people with disabilities, raising concerns about compliance with federal and state laws that protect equal access to public accommodations. The lawsuit was brought by Marlon Jackson in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana on March 13, 2026, naming Patrick Lee Audiffred as the defendant.
According to the complaint, Marlon Jackson is an individual residing in East Baton Rouge Parish who uses a wheelchair due to paraplegia resulting from a T-11 spinal cord injury. The filing states that Jackson is substantially impaired in major life activities such as walking and standing. The property at issue is located at 12044 Plank Road in Baton Rouge and houses a Subway sandwich shop. The document alleges that Patrick Lee Audiffred owns this property and is responsible for ensuring its compliance with accessibility requirements under both federal and state law.
The central claim in the case is that Jackson encountered architectural barriers during his most recent visit to the Subway location in February 2026. The complaint specifies that these barriers include: “the designated-accessible parking space lack vertical signage; the designated-accessible parking space lacks an access aisle; the curb ramp that connects the Property’s parking lot to the promenade contains impermissible gaps and changes in level and is impermissibly located within the designated-accessible parking space;” as well as other mobility-related barriers yet to be identified following a complete inspection. Jackson asserts that these conditions have excluded him from participating equally in programs, services, and activities offered at the property.
The legal action cites violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires places of public accommodation to remove architectural barriers when it is readily achievable to do so. The complaint also invokes provisions of the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights (LCHR), which prohibits discrimination based on disability in places open to the public. According to court documents, “DEFENDANT discriminated against MR. JACKSON, on the basis of disability, in violation of LA. REV. STAT. ANN. § 51:2247, by denying him the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations offered at the Property due to the architectural barriers discussed above.”
Jackson alleges that removal of these barriers would be feasible without imposing an undue burden on Audiffred or causing significant difficulty or expense. He claims he plans to return to the property but fears encountering similar obstacles unless changes are made: “MR. JACKSON plans on returning to the Property but fears that he will encounter the same barriers to access which are subject of this action.”
In addition to seeking declaratory relief stating that Audiffred’s property violates both ADA and LCHR standards, Jackson requests an order directing alterations necessary for accessibility compliance under Title III of ADA and relevant state statutes. He also seeks compensatory damages for injuries allegedly sustained as a result of discriminatory conduct described as deliberate indifference by Audiffred.
The plaintiff further asks for reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs including expert fees, expenses related to litigation under both ADA and LCHR provisions, as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case was filed by Andrew D. Bizer of Bizer & DeReus LLC representing Marlon Jackson. The case identification number is 3:26-cv-00263-BAJ-EWD.
Source: 326cv00263_Marlon_Jackson_v_Patrick_Lee_Complaint_Middle_District_of_Louisiana.pdf
