Plaintiff
- Name: Dominique Tompkins, Richard DeGaetano
- Filing Date: April 7, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Nye, Stirling, Hale, Miller, Sweet LLP
Defendant
- Name: Washington Shoe Company
- Website: www.shopchooka.com
- Industry: Apparel
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.1
- Summary: Designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes shoes and related products under the brand name Chooka.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Plaintiffs Dominique Tompkins and Richard DeGaetano, both legally blind, are suing Washington Shoe Company for failing to make its digital properties accessible, violating the ADA and New York State Human Rights Law. They allege that accessibility barriers on the company's website prevent them from accessing product information and completing purchases. The plaintiffs seek a permanent injunction to require the defendant to improve accessibility, along with compensatory damages and attorneys' fees.
Causes of Action
- Title III of the ADA
- 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.
- Accessibility barriers prevent Plaintiffs from accessing information about Defendant’s products and services.
- Defendant uses an Accessibility Overlay that fails to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.
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.
