Plaintiff
- Name: James Evans
- Filing Date: April 17, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Cigars Inc.
- Website: www.cigarplace.biz
- Industry: Retailing
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides an online platform for purchasing cigars, humidors, lighters, ashtrays, cutters, cigar gifts, and smoking accessories.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, James Evans, a visually impaired individual, is suing Cigars Inc. for failing to make its website, Cigarplace.biz, accessible to blind users. Evans alleges that the website contains numerous barriers that prevent visually impaired individuals from completing transactions, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible, as well as compensatory damages for the class of visually impaired individuals affected by these barriers.
Causes of Action
- Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Key Allegations
- Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
- Denial of equal access to goods and services offered through the Website
- Failure to implement necessary accessibility features
Requested Relief
- Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA
- Injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website compliant with the ADA
- Declaration that the Website discriminates against visually impaired individuals
- Class action certification
- Pre- and post-judgment interest
- Award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees
Proposed Class
all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access the Website and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by the Website, 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).
