Leshawn Young v. La Jolla Sport U.S.A., Inc.

Case Summary

According to the complaint, Leshawn Young, a visually-impaired individual, is suing La Jolla Sport U.S.A., Inc. for failing to make its website, https://us.oneill.com, accessible as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Young alleges that the website contains multiple barriers that prevent blind users from accessing products and services, including missing alt-text for images and broken links. The complaint cites violations of the ADA, New York State Human Rights Law, and New York City Human Rights Law, seeking a permanent injunction to require the defendant to improve website accessibility and 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 preventing her from purchasing products.
• Defendant has failed to comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines for web accessibility.

Requested Relief

• Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its Website accessible to blind individuals.
• Compensatory damages for violations of civil rights under New York State Human Rights Law and GBL § 349.
• Reasonable attorneys’ 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.