Plaintiff
- Name: Andre Battle
- Filing Date: March 4, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Horowitz Law PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Papaya Organics Limited Liability Company
- Website: www.herbalgoodnessco.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Papaya Organics provides a website offering a variety of herbal supplements and wellness products, including teas, capsules, liquid extracts, tinctures, bulk herbs, plant oils, and wellness blends for online purchase.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Andre Battle, a visually-impaired individual, is suing Papaya Organics Limited Liability Company for failing to make their website, Herbalgoodnessco.com, accessible to blind users. The complaint alleges that the website contains significant access barriers that prevent blind individuals from completing transactions, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Battle claims he encountered multiple issues while attempting to purchase an herbal extract, including inaccessible navigation and lack of descriptive text for images. He seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The case is filed as a class action on behalf of all legally blind individuals who have faced similar barriers on 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
- Defendant's website is inaccessible to blind individuals due to various barriers.
- Plaintiff was unable to complete a purchase on the website due to accessibility issues.
- Defendant has failed to take necessary steps to make the website accessible.
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 discriminates against the blind through its website.
- 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 Herbalgoodnessco.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Herbalgoodnessco.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).
