ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: an online liquor store
Plaintiff's Firm: RODERICK V. HANNAH, ESQ., P.A., and LAW OFFICE OF PELAYO DURAN, P.A.
Case Summary
Plaintiff Victor Ariza has filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida on October 28, 2022, against an online liquor retailer, alleging violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The plaintiff, who is blind and uses screen reader software, claims the defendant's e-commerce website contains numerous access barriers that prevent him from fully accessing information, purchasing goods, and utilizing services.
The complaint details several accessibility barriers on the defendant's e-commerce website, including a mislabeled home page/company logo button, a search text field mislabeled as “search edit scan off” with no other description, product images mislabeled as “link” without descriptions, product price and description not labeled to integrate with screen readers, inaccessible purchase options (such as “gift message” and “add to gift basket”) lacking descriptions, and the abbreviation “ml” being mislabeled, relaying letters instead of the word “milliliters.” These issues collectively prevent visually disabled individuals from effectively using the website.
This lawsuit highlights significant legal risks for online retailers and e-commerce platforms that fail to ensure their websites are fully accessible to individuals with visual disabilities. Businesses operating similar digital storefronts, especially those with a physical nexus, must comply with WCAG 2.0 Level AA standards or higher to avoid claims of discrimination and potential injunctive relief, attorney's fees, and damages under the ADA, including for alleged trespass via tracking software.
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Case Q&A
What specific WCAG violations is this online liquor retailer accused of?
The lawsuit alleges various WCAG violations, including mislabeled home page/logo buttons, an incorrectly described search text field, product images without proper descriptions, product price and descriptions not integrating with screen readers, inaccessible purchase options lacking descriptions, and mislabeled abbreviations (e.g., "ml" instead of "milliliters").
Who filed this lawsuit, and which law firm?
The lawsuit was filed by Victor Ariza, represented by Roderick V. Hannah, Es
, P.
and Law Office of Pelayo Duran, P.
What legal risk does this create?
This case demonstrates the legal exposure for e-commerce businesses that do not provide full and equal website access to disabled users, especially those using screen readers. Non-compliance with ADA Title III and WCAG standards can lead to demands for injunctive relief, significant legal costs, and potential damages, emphasizing the need for comprehensive digital accessibility.