Hankins v. El Torito Restaurants, Inc.

Opinion

HAERLE, Acting P. J.—

I. Introduction

This appeal and cross-appeal arise from litigation between Mark Hankins, a disabled man, and the owners and operators of an El Torito restaurant located in Burlingame, California. The litigation was precipitated by Hankins’s visit to the restaurant in October 1991. During that visit, restaurant employees refused to permit Hankins to use an otherwise accessible “employee restroom.” Hankins sought damages and injunctive relief under state and federal law for this denial of access and for other alleged violations of state and federal laws which prohibit…