ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuit: Online Apparel and Accessories Retailer

Plaintiff JUDITH ADELA LOPEZ, on behalf of herself and other similarly situated individuals, has filed a class action lawsuit against an online apparel and accessories retailer in the UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK on February 24, 2026. The complaint alleges that the e-commerce website is not fully accessible to and independently usable by blind and visually-impaired persons, thereby denying them equal access to the retailer's products and services, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York City Human Rights Law, and New York State General Business Law.

The lawsuit specifically details several Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) violations on the website, including a lack of alternative text for non-text elements and linked images, empty links without descriptive text, redundant links leading to the same URL, and repeated title elements across different pages. Furthermore, the complaint highlights broken links that redirect users to error pages without proper screen-reader communication, preventing the plaintiff from navigating or completing purchases for items like candles and other products.

This action emphasizes the ongoing legal scrutiny faced by online businesses to ensure their digital platforms are accessible to all users. Businesses operating e-commerce websites, particularly those selling goods and services online, face significant legal risk under ADA Title III if their platforms fail to comply with established accessibility standards like WCAG 2.0. Failure to address such barriers can lead to injunctions, compensatory damages, civil penalties, and attorneys' fees, underscoring the necessity of proactive digital accessibility measures.