Plaintiff
- Name: Andre Battle
- Filing Date: August 7, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Horowitz Law, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Dakota Timber Company, LLC
- Website: www.dakotatimberco.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Dakota Timber Company provides a wide array of wood home décor and shelving products, including fireplace mantels, floating shelf kits, reclaimed wood ceiling beams, shiplap paneling, and charcuterie boards, available for purchase online.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Andre Battle, a visually impaired individual, is suing Dakota Timber Company, LLC for failing to make its website, Dakotatimberco.com, accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Battle alleges that he encountered significant barriers while attempting to purchase a floating shelf kit online, including inaccessible navigation and missing alternative text for images. He seeks a permanent injunction to require the company to make its website accessible, along with compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The complaint also seeks class action status for all legally blind individuals who have faced similar issues with the website.
Causes of Action
- Violation of 42 U.S.C. §§ 12181 et seq. - Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Declaratory Relief
- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
Key Allegations
- Plaintiff is visually impaired and requires screen-reading software to access websites.
- Dakota Timber Company's website is not accessible to blind users, violating the ADA.
- Plaintiff encountered multiple accessibility barriers while attempting to make a purchase on the website.
Requested Relief
- A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA.
- An injunction requiring Defendant to make its website compliant with the ADA.
- A declaration that Defendant's website discriminates against the blind.
- Class action certification and appointment of Plaintiff as Class Representative.
- Payment of nominal damages.
- Pre- and post-judgment interest.
- An award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees.
- Punitive damages.
- Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
Proposed Class
all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Dakotatimberco.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Dakotatimberco.com, during the relevant statutory period.
Jurisdiction & Venue
This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 12182; venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. §1391(b)(1) and (2).
