Fifth Indifference: Clarifying the Fifth Circuit's Intent Standard for Damages Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Authors

Derek Warden, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeFollow

Document Type

Arguendo (Online)

Abstract

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. Title II of the ADA applies to public entities. That same Title allows plaintiffs to obtain damages upon a showing that the discrimination was intentional. There are generally two possible standards of intent: (1) deliberate indifference or (2) animus. While most Circuit Courts expressly adopted the deliberate indifference model, the Fifth Circuit has not. Indeed, the Fifth Circuit has not adopted any standard and this has led to confusion. The confusion is not helped, moreover, by the sheer lack of justification offered by a number of the Circuit Courts who have adopted either standard. This Essay seeks to clear that confusion. It offers reasons why deliberate indifference, and not the animus standard, should apply to ADA Title II claims. Further, it explains why no Fifth Circuit precedent should be construed as prohibiting the adoption of the deliberate indifference standard.

DOI

10.37419/LR.V7.Arg.1

First Page

1

Last Page

12

Recommended Citation

Derek Warden, Fifth Indifference: Clarifying the Fifth Circuit's Intent Standard for Damages Under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 7 Tex. A&M L. Rev. Arguendo 1 (2019).
Available at: https://doi.org/10.37419/LR.V7.Arg.1