Plaintiff
- Name: Erika Randolph
- Filing Date: December 16, 2025
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Horowitz Law PLLC
Defendant
- Name: GLDN, Inc.
- Website: gldn.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: GLDN provides a wide array of handcrafted, personalized jewelry including necklaces, rings, earrings, charms, bracelets, and jewelry sets for online purchase.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Erika Randolph, a visually-impaired individual, is suing GLDN, Inc. for failing to make their website, Gldn.com, accessible to blind users. The complaint alleges that Randolph encountered significant barriers while attempting to purchase customizable jewelry, including improperly labeled navigation buttons and inaccessible dropdown menus. The plaintiff claims these issues violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeks a permanent injunction to require GLDN to make their website accessible, along with compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The case highlights the need for compliance with web accessibility standards to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities.
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 and visually-impaired persons.
- Plaintiff encountered multiple accessibility barriers preventing her from completing a purchase.
- Defendant failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Requested Relief
- A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA.
- An order requiring Defendant to make its website accessible to blind individuals.
- Payment of nominal 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 Gldn.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Gldn.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).
