Plaintiff
- Name: Joseph Lamperis
- Filing Date: June 1, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Stein Saks, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Leprino Performance Brands, LLC
- Website: www.ascentprotein.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.1
- Summary: Offers sports nutrition products including protein powders and related items designed for fitness and recovery, with options for direct-to-consumer sales and subscriptions.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Plaintiff Joseph Lamperis, a visually impaired individual, alleges that Leprino Performance Brands, LLC's website, www.ascentprotein.com, is inaccessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint details multiple access barriers that prevent Lamperis from purchasing products, specifically chocolate protein powder, which he sought to buy. The plaintiff claims that these barriers include missing alt-text and broken links, which hinder navigation for users relying on screen-reading software. Lamperis seeks a permanent injunction to compel the defendant to make the website accessible and to implement corporate policies ensuring ongoing compliance with accessibility standards. The case is filed as a class action on behalf of all legally blind individuals denied equal access to the website.
Causes of Action
- Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182 et seq.
- Declaratory Relief
Key Allegations
- Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired individuals.
- Plaintiff encountered barriers preventing access to the website's goods and services.
- Defendant has failed to comply with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
Requested Relief
- Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit violations of the ADA.
- Injunction requiring compliance with ADA standards for website accessibility.
- Declaration of discriminatory practices against blind individuals.
- Class certification and appointment of Plaintiff as Class Representative.
- Payment of nominal damages.
- Pre- and post-judgment interest.
- Award of costs and expenses, including attorney fees.
Proposed Class
All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Defendant’s Website and as a result have been denied access to the equal enjoyment of goods and services, 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).
