Phyllis Hampton v. STEELE-WEDDLE RUNNING CENTRE INC

    Plaintiff

    • Name: PHYLLIS HAMPTON
    • Filing Date: November 5, 2025
    • Court: United States District Court Northern District of Illinois
    • State: Illinois
    • Attorney Firm: EQUAL ACCESS LAW GROUP, PLLC

    Defendant

    • Name: Steele-Weddle Running Centre Inc
    • Website: www.athleticannex.com
    • Industry: Apparel
    • Summary: Athleticannex.com provides consumers with access to an array of goods and services, including athletic footwear for men and women, performance apparel, socks, and accessories, allowing users to purchase these items online.

    Case Summary

    According to the complaint, Phyllis Hampton, a visually impaired individual, is suing Steele-Weddle Running Centre Inc for failing to make their website, Athleticannex.com, accessible to blind users. Hampton alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent her and others with visual impairments from completing transactions and accessing the goods and services offered. The complaint cites violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make necessary changes to the website, as well as compensatory damages for the discrimination faced by Hampton and the class members.

    Causes of Action

    • Violation of 42 U.S.C. §§ 12181 et seq. – Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act
    • Declaratory Relief
    • Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress

    Key Allegations

    • Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually impaired persons
    • Plaintiff was denied the ability to complete a purchase on Athleticannex.com due to accessibility barriers
    • Defendant failed to make reasonable modifications to its website to accommodate individuals with disabilities

    Requested Relief

    • A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the Americans with Disabilities Act
    • An order requiring Defendant to make its website accessible to blind individuals
    • Payment of nominal damages
    • Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial

    Proposed Class

    all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Athleticannex.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Athleticannex.com, 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.

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