Plaintiff
- Name: Livingston Bennett
- Filing Date: March 20, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Mizuno USA, Inc.
- Website: usa.mizuno.com
- Industry: Consumer Goods
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2
- Summary: Provides consumers access to an array of goods and services, including the ability to purchase running shoes, training shoes, baseball and softball gear, volleyball gear, golf equipment, performance apparel, and sports accessories.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, LIVINGSTON BENNETT, a visually impaired individual, is suing Mizuno USA, Inc. for failing to make its website, https://usa.mizuno.com, accessible to blind users. Bennett alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent him and others from independently navigating and completing transactions. The complaint cites violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible, along with compensatory damages for affected individuals. Bennett intends to purchase sports equipment but has been unable to do so due to these 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 Defendant from violating the ADA
- Injunction requiring Defendant to make the Website compliant with the ADA
- Declaration that the Website discriminates against the visually impaired
- Order certifying this case as a class action
- Pre- and post-judgment interest
- Award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert 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) because Defendant conducts business in this District.
