Plaintiff
- Name: Christopher Jackson, Christopher Walters
- Filing Date: January 27, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller, Sweet LLP
Defendant
- Name: Performance Apparel LLC
- Website: www.hotchillys.com
- Industry: Apparel
- Standards Cited: ADA's requirements apply to all goods, services, privileges, or activities offered by public accommodations, including those offered on the web.
- Summary: Designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes winter apparel for men, women, and children under the brand name Hot Chillys.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, plaintiffs Christopher Jackson and Christopher Walters, both legally blind, are suing Performance Apparel LLC for failing to make its digital properties accessible, violating the ADA and New York State Human Rights Law. They allege that they encountered significant barriers while attempting to access the defendant's website, which prevented them from purchasing winter apparel. The plaintiffs seek a permanent injunction requiring the defendant to improve accessibility on its website, along with compensatory damages and attorneys' fees.
Causes of Action
- Title III of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.
- Violation of New York State Human Rights Law, Exec. Law, Article 15 § 290, et seq.
Key Allegations
- Defendant's digital properties are not accessible to legally blind individuals.
- Plaintiffs encountered barriers that denied them full and equal access to Defendant's online goods, content, and services.
- Accessibility barriers include issues with navigation menus, size guides, and interactive quizzes.
Requested Relief
- A Declaratory Judgment that Defendant was in violation of the ADA and New York laws.
- A permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its Digital Platform accessible.
- Payment of costs of suit.
- Payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees.
- Payment of compensatory damages pursuant to New York law.
- Payment of nominal damages.
- Provision of other relief deemed just and equitable.
Jurisdiction & Venue
Jurisdiction is invoked pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, 28 U.S.C.A. § 1367 and 42 U.S.C. § 12188. Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2).
