March 26, 2025
For Immediate Release Los Angeles, CA
Contact: Dylan Grimes, Grime Law (310) 747-5095 [email protected]
Trader Joe’s Sued in ADA Lawsuit for Discrimination Against Hearing-Disabled Customer
Grime Law, LLP filed a civil rights lawsuit late yesterday in federal district court on behalf of John Drinkwater, against national retailer Trader Joe’s to force the grocery chain to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 34-year-old federal law that requires grocery stores and other retail outlets to provide equal access to shoppers with hearing and other disabilities.
Mr. Drinkwater, a nationally recognized disability rights advocate, is one of the millions of Americans with the sensory hearing disabilities hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The Complaint, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges discrimination under Title III of the ADA, that ensures disabled Americans equal access to places of public accommodation, e.g., businesses open to the public.
Mr. Drinkwater was a loyal Trader Joe’s customer for over a decade. However, in July 2023, Trader Joe’s refused Mr. Drinkwater’s temporary cost-free request that Trader Joe’s simply turn down the volume of its checkout scanner beeps—sounds that severely impede his ability to shop in their store—and limit other unnecessary noise, reasonable and easy to implement accommodations. The case was filed after more than a year of attempts to avoid litigation failed due to steadfast refusal by the popular food chain’s General Counsel to admit Mr. Drinkwater, and other customers who share his hearing disabilities, are qualified for protection under the ADA.
“Trader Joe’s policy that shoppers with hyperacusis and tinnitus are not protected under the ADA denies hundreds of thousands of Americans their hard-won federal right to protection from disability-based discrimination,” said Dylan Grimes of Grime Law.
Hyperacusis and tinnitus and are among the top service-related injuries affecting veterans. Guidance from the EEOC specifically states ADA disabilities includes “hearing conditions such as tinnitus and sensitivity to noise.” The Job Accommodation Network service of the US Department of Labor notes, “Individuals with noise sensitivity may experience an adverse emotional response or even pain when exposed to the sounds that trigger their symptoms,” and “may also have difficulty concentrating when exposed to noises that seem like normal environmental sounds to others.” Walmart has a policy of no music and dimmed lighting for two hours every day at all its stores nationwide so “customers and associates will find the stores to be a little easier on the eyes and ears.”
“What we have requested is a cost-free option that will allow more people to shop at Trader Joe’s and add to their bottom line,” said John Drinkwater. “Unchecked, Trader Joe’s policy would allow it to deny customers’ reasonable accommodation requests, without accountability or recourse, and appears to be a blatant attack designed to intimidate and retaliate against the hearing disabled throughout the country. After more than a year of refusal to recognize these conditions are ADA protected, litigation was the only route left for relief.”
This action seeks injunctive relief to compel Trader Joe’s to adjust the background music, scanner beeps, and nautical bells at all store locations in compliance with reasonable ADA accommodation requests. Mr. Drinkwater is represented by Los Angeles-based Grime Law LLP.
For comment, contact Dylan Grimes at [email protected] or (213) 308-9899.
Case Name: Drinkwater v. Trader Joe’s Company
Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Docket No: 2:25-cv-02617
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