Hope Elly, a handicapped woman from Alabama, recently filed a federal suit against Hard Rock Casino Biloxi, contending the venue failed to live up to its promised “live like a rock star” experience and violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s the second lawsuit Elly has filed recently in U.S. District Court against a Biloxi business, and the fifth in less than four months against a restaurant or entertainment venue. She also has sued three restaurants in Alabama. Elly is seeking attorney’s fees, court costs and other expenses.
Elly said she was denied the “rock star experience” able-bodied guests have at Hard Rock because she could not stay in a suite, sit at the bar, sit in a cabana or play all the games. The 65-page lawsuit lists numerous ways Hard Rock–including the casino, hotel, shops, restaurants, arcade, fitness center and business center–allegedly does not comply with the ADA. The violations include items such as no wheelchair-accessible exercise equipment in the fitness center and the placement of toilet-paper holders.
Elly said she has suffered several strokes and must travel with a mobility aid. She visited Hard Rock in June with a friend. She said she could not choose from the same rooms as able-bodied individuals since only some of the Hard Rock’s rooms were handicapped accessible. She was unable to stay, for example, in a cabana suite or sky suite in the Platinum Tower.
A Hard Rock spokesman said the company does not comment on pending litigation.
Elly also has lawsuits pending against the Half Shell Oyster House in Biloxi; Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s and Sea-in-Suds restaurant, both in Gulf Shores; and Pelican Pub & Raw Bar on Dauphin Island. The suits, which all contain similar language, were filed by the ADA Group in Montgomery, Alabama.
