Plaintiff
- Name: Livingston Bennett
- Filing Date: March 31, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Clipper Corporation
- Website: www.vikingculinaryproducts.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides consumers access to an array of goods and services, including premium kitchenware and cooking essentials such as cookware, bakeware, cutlery, and kitchen tools.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, LIVINGSTON BENNETT, a visually impaired individual, is suing Clipper Corporation for failing to make its website, https://www.vikingculinaryproducts.com, accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Bennett alleges that the website contains significant access barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing purchases. He seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The complaint highlights specific accessibility issues encountered by Bennett, including reliance on mouse navigation and inadequate alt-text for images, which hinder the ability of visually impaired users to interact with the site effectively.
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 purchases
- 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 discrimination against visually impaired individuals
- 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
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).
