Judith Adela Fernandez Martinez v. NATURAL CATCH SEAFOODS LLC

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Judith Adela Fernandez Martinez, a visually-impaired individual, is suing Natural Catch Seafoods LLC for failing to make its website, https://naturalcatchtuna.com/, accessible to blind users. The complaint alleges that the website contains multiple barriers that prevent blind individuals from accessing information about products, including pole and line caught tuna, and completing purchases. The plaintiff claims that these barriers violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other state laws. The plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and to provide compensatory damages for the alleged discrimination.

Causes of Action

• Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.
• Violations of the NYSHRL
• Violations of the NYCHRL
• Violation of GBL § 349

Key Allegations

• Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually-impaired individuals.
• Plaintiff encountered multiple access barriers on the website preventing equal access to goods and services.
• Defendant has failed to comply with the ADA and other relevant laws regarding website accessibility.

Requested Relief

• Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its website accessible to blind individuals.
• Compensatory damages for violations of civil rights under various laws.
• Attorney's fees and costs.

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 offered by Defendant’s Website, during the relevant statutory period.

Jurisdiction & Venue

The Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 12181, and supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367 over Plaintiffs’ claims pursuant to New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law.