Case: Lane v. Tennessee

3:98-cv-00731 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

Filed Date: Aug. 10, 1998

Closed Date: 2005

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On August 10, 1998, two named plaintiffs, both of whom had paraplegia and used wheelchairs, filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, against the State of Tennessee and 25 Tennessee counties. The plaintiffs alleged past and ongoing violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§12131-12165. The plaintiffs claimed that they had been denied access to the Tennessee state court system because of their di…

On August 10, 1998, two named plaintiffs, both of whom had paraplegia and used wheelchairs, filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, against the State of Tennessee and 25 Tennessee counties. The plaintiffs alleged past and ongoing violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§12131-12165. The plaintiffs claimed that they had been denied access to the Tennessee state court system because of their disabilities. One plaintiff alleged that when he was ordered to appear at a county courthouse whose courtroom was on the second floor without elevator access, he had to crawl up two flights of stairs to reach the courtroom. When he next returned to the courthouse he refused to pull himself up the stairs again and for safety reasons declined being carried up by security personnel. As a result he was arrested and jailed for failure to appear. The other plaintiff was a certified court reporter who alleged that because she was not able to access many Tennessee county courthouses she lost work opportunities and was denied the opportunity to participate in the judicial process. The plaintiffs sought money damages and injunctive relief to modify the inaccessible courthouses.

On October 5, 1998, Tennessee moved to have the case dismissed on Eleventh Amendment Grounds, arguing that Title II of the ADA was invalid to the extent that it authorized private parties to file federal lawsuits for money damages against states. On November 10, 1998, the District Court denied this motion. Tennessee appealed to the federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and proceedings in the district court were stayed while this appeal was pending. On July 16, 2002, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's denial of the motion to dismiss (Judge Boyce F. Martin, Jr writing for a three-judge panel). Lane v. Tennessee, 40 Fed.Appx. 911 (2012). The Court of Appeals granted a rehearing on the issue before the same three-judge panel, and on January 10, 2003 it issued an Amended Judgment, wherein the Court (Judge Martin) again affirmed the lower court's decision and explained that, because the Plaintiffs were "seeking to vindicate" their due process "right of access to the courts," the action was not barred by the Eleventh Amendment. Lane v. Tennessee, 315 F.3d 680 (2003).

Tennessee petitioned for certiorari from the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari. At this point the United States of America, represented by attorneys from Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, joined the Plaintiffs as respondents. On May 17, 2004, the Supreme Court, in an opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens, upheld the constitutionality of the ADA's application against states. The Court found that Congress had abundant evidence that the states frequently denied people with disabilities fundamental rights protected by the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, including the right to access courts. Further, the remedy Congress enacted was congruent and proportional, because the "reasonable accommodations" mandated by the ADA were not unduly burdensome and disproportionate to the harm. Garrett, the Court said, covered only Equal Protection claims, not Due Process claims. Therefore the law was constitutional. Tennessee v. Lane, 541 U.S. 509 (2004).

On August 17, 2004, the District Court denied the Plaintiffs' motion to certify the class, finding that the question of whether each particular member of the proposed class was discriminated against because of their disability would need to be determined on an individual basis, considering the conditions of the particular courthouses, and that therefore class action was inappropriate. Shortly thereafter the parties began negotiating settlements.

In February and March of 2005, the Plaintiffs entered separate settlements with the State of Tennessee and with each of the defendant counties. Tennessee agreed to pay the Plaintiffs $905,000 in attorneys' fees and costs. Tennessee also agreed to recommend to the Tennessee Supreme Court that it implement a comprehensive policy ensuring ADA compliance at state and county courthouses.

Each of the counties agreed to make modifications to their courthouses to make them accessible to wheelchair users and other people with mobility impairments. The Defendants agreed to cooperate in the appointment of ninety-five Local Judicial Program ADA Coordinators. Each county agreed to pay $2,680, totaling $67,000, in attorneys' fees and costs. The Plaintiffs did not receive money damages.

Summary Authors

Alex Colbert-Taylor (6/12/2013)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6140689/parties/lane-v-tennessee-state-of/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant
Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Anderson, Kristyn (Minnesota)

Archer, Dennis W. (Illinois)

Armstrong, Timothy K. (District of Columbia)

Arnwine, Barbara R. (District of Columbia)

Asbill, Sutherland (Georgia)

Judge(s)

Breyer, Stephen Gerald (District of Columbia)

Campbell, Todd J. (Tennessee)

Ginsburg, Ruth Bader (District of Columbia)

Griffin, Juliet E. (Tennessee)

Higgins, Thomas Aquinas (Tennessee)

Martin, Boyce Ficklen Jr. (Kentucky)

O'Connor, Sandra Day (District of Columbia)

Rehnquist, William Hubbs (District of Columbia)

Scalia, Antonin (District of Columbia)

Siler, Eugene Edward Jr. (Kentucky)

Souter, David Hackett (District of Columbia)

Stevens, John Paul (District of Columbia)

Suhrheinrich, Richard Fred (Michigan)

Thomas, Clarence (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Anderson, Kristyn (Minnesota)

Archer, Dennis W. (Illinois)

Armstrong, Timothy K. (District of Columbia)

Arnwine, Barbara R. (District of Columbia)

Asbill, Sutherland (Georgia)

Babcock, Sherril Nell (California)

Booth, David M. (District of Columbia)

Bossing, Lewis (California)

Bowker, David W. (Illinois)

Brady, M. Jane (Delaware)

Broy, Andrew W. (Georgia)

Bruning, Jon (Nebraska)

Carbonez, Kristien (District of Columbia)

Center, Claudia B. (California)

Crank, Patrick J. (Wyoming)

Cunningham, Gary R. (Minnesota)

Dadey, Kristin M. (District of Columbia)

Danzig, Deborah M. (Georgia)

Davies, David W. (Kansas)

DeZago, Ralph James (Kansas)

Dillickrath, Thomas (District of Columbia)

Edmondson, W. A. Drew (Oklahoma)

Eng, Vincent A. (District of Columbia)

Foreman, Michael L. (District of Columbia)

Forrester, Nathan A. (Alabama)

Galanter, Seth Michael (District of Columbia)

Gans, Abbey (New York)

Groseclose, Richard (District of Columbia)

Harrington, Sarah E. (District of Columbia)

Hatch, Mike (Minnesota)

Haun, Kathryn R. (Alabama)

Hayes, Dennis Courtland (Maryland)

Henderson, Thomas J. (District of Columbia)

Ide, Jennifer N. (Georgia)

Kennedy, Harry (Kansas)

Kline, Phill (Kansas)

Kristen, Elizabeth (California)

Lawson, Nicole D. (Georgia)

Lester, Charles Jr. (Georgia)

Lieberman, Michael (New York)

Maer, Foster (New York)

Mathis, Jennifer (District of Columbia)

Mayerson, Arlene Brynne (California)

McAhren, Kristen (District of Columbia)

McCallum, Elizabeth B. (District of Columbia)

Menard, Richard H. Jr. (Alabama)

Minceberg, Elliot (District of Columbia)

Oppenheimer, James Chad (District of Columbia)

Pryor, William Holcombe Jr. (Alabama)

Rich, John Townsend (District of Columbia)

Rockoff, Jennifer M. (Illinois)

Roseborough, Teresa Wynn (Georgia)

Russell, Kevin K. (District of Columbia)

Sandoval, Brian Edward (Nevada)

Schaerr, Gene C. (District of Columbia)

Shurtleff, Mark L. (Utah)

Silver, Jessica Dunsay (District of Columbia)

Sinkfield, Richard H. (Georgia)

Stenehjem, Wayne (North Dakota)

Tower, Andrew P. (District of Columbia)

Wolfson, Paul R. Q. (Illinois)

Yee, Silvia (California)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

3:98-cv-00731

Docket (PACER)

Aug. 17, 2005

Aug. 17, 2005

Docket
1

3:98-cv-00731

Complaint

Aug. 10, 1998

Aug. 10, 1998

Complaint
62

3:98-cv-00731

Defendant State of Tennessee's Motion to Dismiss

Nov. 10, 1998

Nov. 10, 1998

Pleading / Motion / Brief

21667

Petition for a Writ of Certiorari

Tennessee v. Lane

Supreme Court of the United States

July 16, 2002

July 16, 2002

Pleading / Motion / Brief

98-06730

Order

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

July 16, 2002

July 16, 2002

Order/Opinion

98-06730

Order [on petition for rehearing]

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Sept. 20, 2002

Sept. 20, 2002

Order/Opinion

98-06730

Opinion (as amended)

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Jan. 10, 2003

Jan. 10, 2003

Order/Opinion

02-01667

Opinion

Tennessee v. Lane

Supreme Court of the United States

June 23, 2003

June 23, 2003

Order/Opinion

02-01667

Brief of Amici Curiae In Support of Petitioners

Tennessee v. Lane

Supreme Court of the United States

Sept. 8, 2003

Sept. 8, 2003

Pleading / Motion / Brief

02-01667

Brief for Amici Curiae Paralyzed Veterans of America, American Psychiatric Association, and 23 Other Organizations in Support of Respondents

Tennessee v. Lane

Supreme Court of the United States

Nov. 1, 2003

Nov. 1, 2003

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6140689/lane-v-tennessee-state-of/

Last updated Jan. 24, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (Summons(es) issued) Filing fee paid in the amount of : $150.00 Receipt # 64591 (bbj) (Entered: 08/18/1998)

Aug. 10, 1998

Aug. 10, 1998

Clearinghouse
2

NOTICE of Initial Case Management Conference ; Case Management Conference set for 1:30 10/23/98 before Judge Higgins (bbj) (Entered: 08/18/1998)

Aug. 10, 1998

Aug. 10, 1998

PACER
3

LETTER to William J. Brown re: Local Rule 1 (bbj) (Entered: 08/18/1998)

Aug. 18, 1998

Aug. 18, 1998

PACER
4

CERTIFICATE of Good Standing filed by pltfs by atty William J. Brown (dcap) (Entered: 08/20/1998)

Aug. 20, 1998

Aug. 20, 1998

PACER
5

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Meigs County TN by Thomas Marshall Donnell Jr. (tlc) (Entered: 08/28/1998)

Aug. 27, 1998

Aug. 27, 1998

PACER
6

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defts: Chester County TN, Hawkins County TN, Johnson County TN & Lewis County TN by Thomas Marshall Donnell Jr. (tlc) (Entered: 09/02/1998)

Sept. 1, 1998

Sept. 1, 1998

PACER
7

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Hancock County TN by Floyd W. Rhea (tlc) (Entered: 09/08/1998)

Sept. 8, 1998

Sept. 8, 1998

PACER
8

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defts: Claiborne County TN, Clay County TN, Fayette County TN, Lake County TN & Moore County TN by John Edward Quinn (tlc) (Entered: 09/09/1998)

Sept. 8, 1998

Sept. 8, 1998

PACER
9

RETURN OF SERVICE executed by certified mail upon deft State of Tennessee and signed for by Reuben Jordan, deft Polk County TN and signed for by Jake Russell & deft Meigs County TN and signed for by Ricky Bivers; all served on 8/20/98 (tlc) (Entered: 09/09/1998)

Sept. 8, 1998

Sept. 8, 1998

PACER
10

RETURN OF SERVICE executed by certified mail on 8/21/98 upon defts: Bledsoe County TN and signed for by Melba Reel, Cannon County TN and signed for by Billy Davis, Chester County TN (card signed), Claiborne County TN and signed for by Thelma Wolfenbarger, Clay County TN and signed for by Ray Frugge, Cocke County TN and signed for by Ruby Marion, Decatur County TN (card signed), Fayette County TN and signed for by T.L. Wilburn, Hancock County TN and signed for by Juanita H. Greene, Hawkins County TN and Martha Wallace, Hickman County TN and signed for by Ken Skelton, Jackson County TN (card signed), Jefferson County TN and signed for by Pam Hill, Johnson County TN and signed for by Joyce Crowder, Lake County TN and signed for by Debra Vaughn, Lewis County TN and signed for by Renita Tenry, Moore County TN and signed for by Wayne Harrison, Pickett County TN and signed for by Carolyn Smith, Trousdale County TN and signed for by Debbie Jenkins (tlc) (Entered: 09/09/1998)

Sept. 8, 1998

Sept. 8, 1998

PACER
11

RETURN OF SERVICE executed by certified mail on 8/24/98 upon defts: Grainger County TN and signed for by Karen Byrd and Perry County TN and signed for by Hugh Henson (tlc) (Entered: 09/09/1998)

Sept. 8, 1998

Sept. 8, 1998

PACER
12

RETURN OF SERVICE executed by certified mail upon deft Van Buren County TN on 8/27/98 and signed for by Carolyn Houston (tlc) (Entered: 09/09/1998)

Sept. 8, 1998

Sept. 8, 1998

PACER
13

RETURN OF SERVICE executed by certified mail upon deft Houston County TN on 9/1/98 and signed for by Carole Robinson (tlc) (Entered: 09/09/1998)

Sept. 8, 1998

Sept. 8, 1998

PACER
14

MOTION by deft Van Buren County TN to extend time 30 days to answer complaint (tlc) (Entered: 09/10/1998)

Sept. 10, 1998

Sept. 10, 1998

PACER
15

AFFIDAVIT of Howard L. Upchurch in support of deft Van Buren County's motion to extend time to answer complaint [14-1] (tlc) (Entered: 09/10/1998)

Sept. 10, 1998

Sept. 10, 1998

PACER
16

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting deft Van Buren Co's motion to extend time an additional 30 days to answer complaint [14-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 9/11/98) (tlc) (Entered: 09/11/1998)

Sept. 11, 1998

Sept. 11, 1998

PACER
17

LETTER from deft Lewis County TN's atty Thomas Donnell advising the atty appearance filed by Donnell was not to include Lewis County, just the other three; therefore, Donnell will be removed as atty representing Lewis Co (tlc) (Entered: 09/11/1998)

Sept. 11, 1998

Sept. 11, 1998

PACER
18

MOTION by deft Tennessee State of to extend time to answer complaint until 10/5/98 (pl) (Entered: 09/11/1998)

Sept. 11, 1998

Sept. 11, 1998

PACER
19

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting deft State of TN's motion to extend time to answer complaint until 10/5/98 [18-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 9/14/98) (tlc) (Entered: 09/14/1998)

Sept. 11, 1998

Sept. 11, 1998

PACER
20

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Cocke County TN by John Edward Quinn (tlc) (Entered: 09/16/1998)

Sept. 15, 1998

Sept. 15, 1998

PACER
21

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defts: Bledsoe County TN, Decatur County TN, Grainger County TN, Houston County TN, Perry County TN, Pickett County TN, Trousdale County TN & Van Buren County TN by Thomas Marshall Donnell Jr. (tlc) (Entered: 09/16/1998)

Sept. 15, 1998

Sept. 15, 1998

PACER
22

MOTION by defts: Bledsoe County TN, Chester County TN, Decatur County TN, Grainger County TN, Hawkins County TN, Houston County TN, Johnson County TN, Meigs County TN, Perry County TN, Pickett County TN, Trousdale County TN & Van Buren County TN to extend time through 10/16/98, to respond to the complaint in this action (tlc) (Entered: 09/16/1998)

Sept. 15, 1998

Sept. 15, 1998

PACER
23

CERTIFICATE of Good Standing filed by deft Hancock County TN on behalf of Floyd W. Rhea; Eastern District of TN (tlc) (Entered: 09/18/1998)

Sept. 17, 1998

Sept. 17, 1998

PACER
24

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting defts: Bledsoe Co, Chester Co, Decatur Co, Grainger Co, Hawkins Co, Houston Co, Johnson Co, Meigs Co, Perry Co, Pickett Co, Trousdale Co and Van Buren Co's motion to extend time through 10/16/98, to respond to the complaint in this action [22-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 9/18/98) (tlc) (Entered: 09/18/1998)

Sept. 18, 1998

Sept. 18, 1998

PACER
25

MOTION by deft: Claiborne County TN, Clay County TN, Cocke County TN, Fayette County TN, Lake County TN & Moore County TN to extend time to 10/16/98 to respond to the complaint (tlc) (Entered: 09/23/1998)

Sept. 22, 1998

Sept. 22, 1998

PACER
26

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting defts: Claiborne Co, Clay Co, Cocke Co, Fayette Co, Lake Co and Moore Co's motion to extend time to 10/16/98 to respond to the complaint [25-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 9/23/98) (tlc) (Entered: 09/23/1998)

Sept. 23, 1998

Sept. 23, 1998

PACER
27

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Jackson County TN by William Lawrence Draper (tlc) (Entered: 09/23/1998)

Sept. 23, 1998

Sept. 23, 1998

PACER
28

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Van Buren County TN by Larry B. Stanley (mk) (Entered: 09/29/1998)

Sept. 28, 1998

Sept. 28, 1998

PACER
29

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Lewis County TN by John Edward Quinn (tlc) (Entered: 09/30/1998)

Sept. 30, 1998

Sept. 30, 1998

PACER
30

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Cannon County TN by John Edward Quinn (tlc) (Entered: 09/30/1998)

Sept. 30, 1998

Sept. 30, 1998

PACER
31

MOTION by deft Cannon County TN & deft Lewis County TN to extend time to 10/16/98 to respond to the complaint (tlc) (Entered: 09/30/1998)

Sept. 30, 1998

Sept. 30, 1998

PACER
32

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Hickman County TN & deft Jefferson County TN by David Randall Mantooth (tlc) (Entered: 10/01/1998)

Sept. 30, 1998

Sept. 30, 1998

PACER
33

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting defts Cannon and Lewis Co's motion to extend time to 10/16/98 to respond to the complaint [31-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 10/1/98) (tlc) (Entered: 10/01/1998)

Oct. 1, 1998

Oct. 1, 1998

PACER
34

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins; time is extended to 10/9/98 for defts Hickman and Jefferson Counties to respond to the complaint in this action (cc: all counsel) (EOD 10/1/98) (tlc) (Entered: 10/01/1998)

Oct. 1, 1998

Oct. 1, 1998

PACER
35

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for deft Polk County TN & deft Jackson County TN by Thomas Marshall Donnell Jr. (tlc) (Entered: 10/05/1998)

Oct. 2, 1998

Oct. 2, 1998

PACER
36

MOTION by deft State of Tennessee to dismiss (tlc) (Entered: 10/05/1998)

Oct. 5, 1998

Oct. 5, 1998

PACER
37

MEMORANDUM by deft State of Tennessee in support of motion to dismiss [36-1] (tlc) (Entered: 10/05/1998)

Oct. 5, 1998

Oct. 5, 1998

PACER
38

MOTION by pltfs to extend time to respond to State of Tenn motion to dismiss (pl) (Entered: 10/09/1998)

Oct. 9, 1998

Oct. 9, 1998

PACER
39

MOTION by pltfs to extend time to file motion for determination of class action (pl) (Entered: 10/09/1998)

Oct. 9, 1998

Oct. 9, 1998

PACER
40

COMPLAINT - CLASS ACTION [1-1] by pltfs (tlc) (Entered: 10/13/1998)

Oct. 9, 1998

Oct. 9, 1998

PACER
41

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting pltfs' motion to extend time to 11/9/98 to respond to State of Tenn motion to dismiss [38-1][36-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 10/13/98) (tlc) (Entered: 10/13/1998)

Oct. 9, 1998

Oct. 9, 1998

PACER
42

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting pltfs' motion to extend time to file motion for determination of class action [39-1]; time for filing will be determined at CMC (cc: all counsel) (EOD 10/13/98) (tlc) (Entered: 10/13/1998)

Oct. 9, 1998

Oct. 9, 1998

PACER
43

ANSWER by deft Bledsoe County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
44

ANSWER by deft Chester County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
45

ANSWER by deft Decatur County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
46

ANSWER by deft Grainger County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
47

ANSWER by deft Hawkins County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
48

ANSWER by deft Houston County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
49

ANSWER by deft Jackson County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
50

ANSWER by deft Johnson County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
51

ANSWER by deft Meigs County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
52

ANSWER by deft Perry County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
53

ANSWER by deft Pickett County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
54

ANSWER by deft Polk County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
55

ANSWER by deft Trousdale County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
56

ANSWER by deft Van Buren County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

Oct. 22, 1998

Oct. 22, 1998

PACER
57

CLERK'S RESUME Case Management Conference set for 10/23/98 is reset for 1/8/99 at 1:30 C/R : J. Spence (tlc) (Entered: 10/26/1998)

Oct. 23, 1998

Oct. 23, 1998

PACER
58

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins; for reasons stated on the record at the hearing on 10/23/98, a second case management conference shall be held in this action: Case Management Conference reset for 1:30 on 1/8/99 (cc: all counsel) (EOD 10/26/98) (tlc) (Entered: 10/26/1998)

Oct. 26, 1998

Oct. 26, 1998

PACER
59

ANSWER by deft Hickman County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/02/1998)

Oct. 30, 1998

Oct. 30, 1998

PACER
60

ANSWER by deft Jefferson County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/02/1998)

Oct. 30, 1998

Oct. 30, 1998

PACER
61

RESPONSE by pltf to motion to dismiss [36-1] (tlc) (Entered: 11/09/1998)

Nov. 6, 1998

Nov. 6, 1998

PACER
62

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins denying deft State of TN's motion to dismiss [36-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 11/12/98) (tlc) (Entered: 11/12/1998)

Nov. 10, 1998

Nov. 10, 1998

Clearinghouse
63

ANSWER by deft Cannon County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
64

ANSWER by deft Claiborne County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
65

ANSWER by deft Clay County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
66

ANSWER by deft Cocke County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
67

ANSWER by deft Fayette County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
68

ANSWER by deft Lake County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
69

ANSWER by deft Lewis County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
70

ANSWER by deft Moore County TN to amended complaint [40-1]; jury demand (tlc) (Entered: 11/20/1998)

Nov. 19, 1998

Nov. 19, 1998

PACER
71

MOTION by deft Tennessee State of to extend time to 12/7/98 to answer (tlc) (Entered: 11/30/1998)

Nov. 25, 1998

Nov. 25, 1998

PACER
72

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting deft State of TN's motion to extend time to close of business on 12/7/98 to answer complaint [71-1] (cc: all counsel) (EOD 12/1/98) (tlc) (Entered: 12/01/1998)

Nov. 30, 1998

Nov. 30, 1998

PACER
73

NOTICE OF APPEAL by deft Tennessee State of from Dist. Court decision [62-1] (mg) (Entered: 12/03/1998)

Dec. 2, 1998

Dec. 2, 1998

PACER
74

RECEIVED filing fee and forwarded to 6th CCA, rcpt #66186 (mg) (Entered: 12/04/1998)

Dec. 2, 1998

Dec. 2, 1998

PACER
75

MOTION by deft State of Tennessee to stay pending appeal and memorandum of law in support thereof (mg) (Entered: 12/08/1998)

Dec. 7, 1998

Dec. 7, 1998

PACER
76

ANSWER by deft Hancock County TN to [40-1]; jury demand (mg) (Entered: 12/11/1998)

Dec. 9, 1998

Dec. 9, 1998

PACER
77

RESPONSE by Polk County TN, Bledsoe County TN, Chester County TN, Decatur County TN, Grainger County TN, Hawkins County TN, Houston County TN, Jackson County TN, Johnson County TN, Meigs County TN, Perry County TN, Pickett County TN, Trousdale County TN and Van Buren County TN to motion to stay pending appeal [75-1] (gi) (Entered: 12/15/1998)

Dec. 14, 1998

Dec. 14, 1998

PACER
78

RESPONSE by pltfs to motion to stay pending appeal [75-1] with Exh A attached (mg) (Entered: 12/18/1998)

Dec. 17, 1998

Dec. 17, 1998

PACER
79

MOTION by pltfs for class certification (mg) (Entered: 12/18/1998)

Dec. 17, 1998

Dec. 17, 1998

PACER
80

RESPONSE by deft State of TN to motion to stay pending appeal [75-1] (mg) (Entered: 12/18/1998)

Dec. 17, 1998

Dec. 17, 1998

PACER
81

MOTION by Dennis Cantrel, Ann Marie Zappola and Ralph E. Ramsey,Sr. for joinder in complaint (mg) (Entered: 12/18/1998)

Dec. 17, 1998

Dec. 17, 1998

PACER
82

MOTION by deft Van Buren County TN to substitute attorney Thomas Donnell, Jr. and remove Larry B. Stanley, Jr. (mg) (Entered: 12/18/1998)

Dec. 17, 1998

Dec. 17, 1998

PACER
83

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting motion to substitute attorney [82-1] Thomas Donnell, Jr., and remove attorney Larry B. Stanley for Van Buren County TN (cc: all counsel) EOD 12/18/98 (mg) (Entered: 12/18/1998)

Dec. 18, 1998

Dec. 18, 1998

PACER
86

NOTIFICATION by 6th CCA of Appellate Docket Number 98-6730 (mg) (Entered: 12/28/1998)

Dec. 21, 1998

Dec. 21, 1998

PACER
84

AGREED ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins substituting attorney Thomas Donnell, Jr. for atty Larry B. Stanley, Jr. for deft (cc: all counsel) (EOD 12/22/98) (tlc) (Entered: 12/22/1998)

Dec. 22, 1998

Dec. 22, 1998

PACER
85

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins; defts will not be required to respond until the response date is determined at the CMC set for 1/8/99 (cc: all counsel) (EOD 12/22/98) (tlc) (Entered: 12/22/1998)

Dec. 22, 1998

Dec. 22, 1998

PACER
87

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting motion to stay pending appeal [75-1] (cc: all counsel) EOD 12/29/98 (mg) Modified on 09/16/2003 (Entered: 12/29/1998)

Dec. 29, 1998

Dec. 29, 1998

PACER
88

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins denying as moot motion for class certification [79-1] pending the outcome of the state's appeal. (cc: all counsel) EOD 12/29/98 (mg) (Entered: 12/29/1998)

Dec. 29, 1998

Dec. 29, 1998

PACER
89

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins denying as moot motion for joinder in complaint [81-1] pending the outcome of the State's appeal (EOD 12/29/98) (cc: all counsel) (mg) (Entered: 12/29/1998)

Dec. 29, 1998

Dec. 29, 1998

PACER
90

MOTION by pltfs Dennis Cantrel, Ann Marie Zappola, Ralph E. Ramsey to reconsider denial of motion for permissive joinder (mg) (Entered: 02/23/1999)

Feb. 22, 1999

Feb. 22, 1999

PACER
91

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting motion to reconsider denial of motion for permissive joinder [90-1] vacating [89-1] order granting motion for joinder in complaint [81-1] (cc: all counsel) EOD 3/29/99 (mg) (Entered: 03/29/1999)

March 26, 1999

March 26, 1999

PACER
92

AGREED ORDER SUBSTITUTING COUNSEL by Judge Thomas A. Higgins: withdrawing attorney David Randall Mantooth for defts Jefferson County TN and Hickman County TN; substituting attorneys Nathan D Rowell and Pamela L. Reeves for defts Jefferson County TN and Hickman County TN (cc: all counsel) EOD 11/3/99 (bj) (Entered: 11/03/1999)

Nov. 2, 1999

Nov. 2, 1999

PACER
93

MOTION by defts Hickman County TN, and Jefferson County TN for attorney Sarannah L. McMurtry to appear pro hac vice (mg) (Entered: 06/09/2000)

June 8, 2000

June 8, 2000

PACER
94

AFFIDAVIT of Sarannah L. McMurtry re [93-1] (mg) (Entered: 06/09/2000)

June 8, 2000

June 8, 2000

PACER
95

ORDER by Judge Thomas A. Higgins granting motion for attorney Sarannah L. McMurtry to appear pro hac vice [93-1] by defts Hickman County TN, Jefferson County TN (cc: all counsel) EOD 6/13/00 (mg) (Entered: 06/13/2000)

June 12, 2000

June 12, 2000

PACER
96

AGREED ORDER FOR SUBSTITUTUION OF COUNSEL by Judge Thomas A. Higgins withdrawing attorney attorneys Pamela L. Reeves and Nathan D Rowell for Jefferson County TN, for Hickman County TN, and Sarannah L. McMurry substituted. (cc: all counsel) EOD 6/13/00 (mg) (Entered: 06/13/2000)

June 12, 2000

June 12, 2000

PACER
97

INFORMATION COPY from 6th CCA dated 7/16/02 affirming district court's denial of Tennessee's mtn to dismiss and remanding case for further proceedings. (mk) (Entered: 07/19/2002)

July 18, 2002

July 18, 2002

PACER
98

ORDER from 6th CCA dated 9/20/02: Petition for rehearing is granted. Opinion and jgm of 7/16/02 are hereby withdrawn and case is restored to court's active docket. Parties further instructed to file briefs not in excess of 25 pages addressing the issue as outlined in the petitioner for rehearing, with each side's brief to be filed not later than close of business 10/23/02. Upon filing of briefs, court will proceed to dispose of the case. (mk) (Entered: 09/25/2002)

Sept. 23, 2002

Sept. 23, 2002

PACER
99

INFORMATION COPY from 6th CCA dated 1/10/03 (Amended Judgment on rehearing of an appeal): Ordered that district court's denial of deft State of TN's mtn to dismiss is affirmed and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with the opinion of this court. (mk) (Entered: 01/14/2003)

Jan. 13, 2003

Jan. 13, 2003

PACER
100

NOTICE from Supreme Court Clerk that petition for writ of certiorari was filed 5/12/03 and placed on docket 5/15/03 as 02-1667 (mk) (Entered: 05/30/2003)

May 28, 2003

May 28, 2003

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Tennessee

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 10, 1998

Closing Date: 2005

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Paraplegics alleging that Tennessee and a number of its counties had denied them physical access to that State’s courts

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Tennessee, State

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

U.S. Supreme Court merits opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Attorneys fees

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: $972,000

Order Duration: 2005 - None

Content of Injunction:

Reasonable Accommodation

Discrimination Prohibition

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Reporting

Recordkeeping

Monitoring

Goals (e.g., for hiring, admissions)

Issues

General:

Access to public accommodations - governmental

Buildings

Government services

Disability and Disability Rights:

Mobility impairment

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

Type of Facility:

Government-run