LANGER v. WINDOW COVERING EXPERTS, INC.

    Plaintiff

    • Name: Chris Langer
    • Filing date: October 5, 2020
    • State of filing: California

    Defendant

    • Name: Window Covering Experts, Inc.
    • Website: www.calshuttersandshades.com
    • Industry: Building Materials
    • Summary: Window Covering Experts designs and builds custom shutters, blinds, and window treatments via its website.

    Case Summary

    On October 5, 2020, Chris Langer filed a Complaint in California State court against Window Covering Experts, Inc.. Plaintiff Chris Langer alleges that www.calshuttersandshades.com is not accessible per the WCAG 2.1 accessibility standard(s).

    Case Details

    Plaintiff alleges issues in its Complaint including the following:

    • When Plaintiff attempted to view video content on the Website, he discovered that the videos lacked closed captioning, which made him unable to fully understand and consume the contents of the videos.
    • Plaintiff experienced difficulty and discomfort in attempting to view videos including: “(Alustra Product Collection - Hunter Douglas Window Fashions); (PowerViewTM Motorization System Overview - Motorized Shades - Hunter Douglas)”. As a result of this inaccessibility he was deterred from further use of the Website.

    Plaintiff asserts the following cause(s) of action in its Complaint:

    • VIOLATION OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990
    • VIOLATION OF THE UNRUH CIVIL RIGHTS ACT

    Plaintiff seeks the following relief by way of its Complaint:

    • A Declaratory Judgment that at the commencement of this action Defendants were in violation of the requirements of the ADA due to Defendants’ failures to take action to ensure that its websites were fully accessible to and independently usable by hearing-impaired individuals, including providing closed-captioning on all video content containing audio elements.
    • Pursuant to 42 U.S.C § 12181, a preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining Defendants from violating the ADA with respect to its website.
    • Damages under the Unruh Civil Rights Act § 511, which provides for actual damages and a statutory minimum of $4,000 for each offense.
    • Reasonable attorney fees, litigation expenses and costs of suit, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 12205; and Cal. Civ. Code § 52.

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