Plaintiff
- Name: James Evans
- Filing Date: May 30, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Ethika, Inc.
- Website: www.ethika.com
- Industry: Apparel
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides a wide array of goods and services, including the ability to purchase a selection of bold, comfort-focused underwear and lifestyle apparel for men and women, including boxer briefs, bras, bralettes, socks, graphic tops, and hoodies.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, James Evans, a visually impaired individual, is suing Ethika, Inc. for failing to make its website accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Evans alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing transactions. He encountered issues such as ambiguous link texts and a lack of necessary accommodations for screen-reader users. Evans seeks a permanent injunction to require Ethika to make its website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The case is filed as a class action on behalf of all legally blind individuals in the U.S. who have faced similar barriers.
Causes of Action
- Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Key Allegations
- Website is inaccessible to visually impaired individuals
- Access barriers prevent independent navigation and transactions
- Defendant failed to implement necessary accessibility features
Requested Relief
- Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit violations of the ADA
- Injunction requiring compliance with ADA
- Declaration of discriminatory practices
- Class action certification
- Pre- and post-judgment interest
- Award of costs and attorney 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
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)
