Huntsville City Schools and United States Dept. of Justice Face Off In Federal Court

Federal courthouse in Huntsville

(Eric Schultz)

A Huntsville franchise of Two Men and a Truck movers was handed a $13,500 bill in federal court today for refusing to move a woman when it found out she had Hepatitis-C.

U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance said the Justice Department reached the agreement with Kemper Moving Systems, Inc. doing business as Two Men and a Truck. Kemper will pay $10,000 to the victim and a $3,500 penalty to the government. The company also agreed to change its policies and train its staff in non-discrimination.

According to a consent decree, Two Men and a Truck cancelled a 2012 job in mid-move when managers found out their customer had Hepatitis-C. They ordered their crew to take her already-loaded items to her mother's home and return to the office. That cost the woman rent on two apartments, the price of a last-minute replacement mover and other expenses, the government said.

Vance's office cited medical guidelines that say the disease is transmitted primarily through repeated exposure to infected blood. Casual contact - sneezing, hugging, holding hands, coughing, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses - and sharing food won't spread Hepatitis-C, the government said.

Refusing to move the customer violated her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The act was "passed just over 25 years ago with the promise of opening up all aspects of American life to individuals with disabilities," Vance said.

"The ADA prevents public accommodations, including moving companies, from denying service to people because of their disability status," said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta, head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "The Department of Justice stands firmly committed to protecting the rights of people who live with Hepatitis-C by combating unlawful discrimination, addressing unfounded stereotypes and eradicating the painful stigma that interferes with their daily lives."