Plaintiff
- Name: PHILLIP SULLIVAN, JR.
- Filing date: August 7, 2019
- State of filing: New York
Defendant
- Name: ESRT OBSERVATORY TRS, L.L.C. d/b/a THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING,
- Website: www.esbnyc.com
- Industry: Real Estate
- Summary: Website for New York's Empire State Building
Case Summary
On August 7, 2019, PHILLIP SULLIVAN, JR. filed a Complaint in New York State court against ESRT OBSERVATORY TRS, L.L.C. d/b/a THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING,. Plaintiff PHILLIP SULLIVAN, JR. alleges that www.esbnyc.com is not accessible per the WCAG 2.1, Section 508 accessibility standard(s).
Case Details
Plaintiff alleges issues in its Complaint including the following:
This case arises out of Defendant’s policy and practice of denying the deaf and hard-of-hearing access to the Website, including the goods and services offered by Defendant through the Website. Due to Defendant’s failure and refusal to remove access barriers to the Website, deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have been and are being denied equal access to the Website, as well as to the numerous goods, services and benefits offered to the public through the Website.
Plaintiff asserts the following cause(s) of action in its Complaint:
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Violation of New York State Human Rights Law, N.Y. Exec. Law, Article 15 (Executive Law § 292 et seq.)
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Violation of New York State Civil Rights Law, NY CLS Civ R, Article 4 (CLS Civ R § 40 et seq.)
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Violation of New York City Human Rights Law, N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-102, et seq.)
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Declaratory Relief
Plaintiff seeks the following relief by way of its Complaint:
- A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the N.Y. Exec. Law § 296, et seq., N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-107, et seq., and the laws of New York;
- A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to take all the steps necessary to make the Website fully functional and compliant with WCAG 2.1 A and AA Standards, so that the Website is readily accessible to and usable by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and other individuals with impairments, such as those who are visually impaired.
- A declaration that Defendant owns, maintains, and/or operates the Website in a manner which discriminates against the deaf and hard of hearing, and which fails to provide access for persons with disabilities as required by N.Y. Exec. Law § 296, et seq., N.Y.C. Administrative Code § 8-107, et seq., and the laws of New York;
- Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined by proof, including all 17 of 18 applicable statutory damages and fines, to Plaintiff for violations of their civil rights under New York State Human Rights Law and City Law;
- Plaintiff’s reasonable attorneys’ fees, statutory damages, expenses, and costs of suit as provided by state law;
- For pre- and post-judgment interest to the extent permitted by law; and
- Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
