ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: An Online Sportswear Retailer
Plaintiff's Firm: WILSHIRE LAW FIRM
Case Summary
Plaintiff Portia Mason, through Wilshire Law Firm, has filed a federal lawsuit on September 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California against an online sportswear retailer. The complaint asserts violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act, alleging that the defendant's e-commerce website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals.
The complaint specifically details several WCAG violations, including the lack of alternative text for non-text elements and linked images, empty links without descriptive text, redundant links, web pages lacking titles that describe their topic or purpose, and issues where the keyboard operable user interface lacks a discernible focus indicator. Furthermore, the website is alleged to contain inaccessible Portable Document Format (PDFs), preventing screen-reader users from accessing content available to sighted users.
This lawsuit highlights the significant legal risks faced by businesses operating digital platforms that fail to meet web accessibility standards. Companies with similar online presences that do not ensure their websites are fully accessible to disabled users could face substantial liabilities, including statutory damages and injunctive relief, under federal and state accessibility laws.
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Case Q&A
What specific WCAG violations is this online sportswear retailer accused of?
The online sportswear retailer is accused of numerous WCAG violations, including missing alternative text for graphics and linked images, empty links, redundant links, web pages without descriptive titles, and issues with keyboard focus indicators. The complaint also notes the presence of inaccessible Portable Document Format (PDFs).
Who filed this lawsuit, and which law firm?
The lawsuit was filed by Plaintiff Portia Mason, represented by Wilshire Law Firm.
What legal risk does this create?
This case demonstrates the legal vulnerability for online businesses that do not maintain accessible digital platforms, potentially leading to legal action, statutory damages, and court-ordered mandates to improve accessibility under ADA Title III and California's Unruh Civil Rights Act.