Sandra Ford v. SMILE DESIGN STUDIO OF HYDE PARK, LLC

Case Summary

According to the complaint, plaintiff SANDRA FORD is suing Smile Design Studio of Hyde Park, LLC for failing to make their website, Chicagodentistry.com, accessible to blind individuals. The complaint alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent blind users from completing transactions and accessing services. Plaintiff claims that these barriers violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible, as well as compensatory damages for the discrimination experienced by the plaintiff and 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 inaccessible to blind individuals
• Plaintiff encountered multiple accessibility barriers on the website
• Defendant failed to make reasonable modifications to ensure accessibility

Requested Relief

• Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA
• Injunction requiring Defendant to make its website compliant with the ADA
• Declaration of discrimination against the blind
• Class action certification
• Payment of nominal damages
• Pre- and post-judgment interest
• Award of costs and expenses
• Punitive damages
• Compensatory damages

Proposed Class

All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Chicagodentistry.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of services offered by Chicagodentistry.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).