Plaintiff
- Name: Victor Lopez
- Filing Date: September 9, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Southern District of New York
- State: New York
- Attorney Firm: Gottlieb & Associates PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Leather Store Inc.
- Website: www.leatherkloset.com
- Industry: Retailing
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.0
- Summary: Operates an online retail store selling leather and shearling jackets and apparel, providing information about products, pricing, terms of service, refund and privacy policies.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Victor Lopez, a visually-impaired individual, is suing Leather Store Inc. for failing to make its website, www.leatherkloset.com, accessible to blind users. The complaint alleges that the website contains numerous barriers that prevent visually-impaired individuals from accessing its products and services, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other state laws. Lopez claims he has faced difficulties in navigating the site and obtaining information about products, which has caused him frustration and humiliation. He seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to improve website accessibility and compensatory damages for the alleged discrimination.
Causes of Action
- Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12181 et seq.
- Violations of the NYSHRL
- Violations of the NYCHRL
- Violation of GBL § 349
Key Allegations
- Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually-impaired persons.
- Plaintiff encountered multiple access barriers preventing full use of the website.
- Defendant has failed to comply with WCAG 2.0 guidelines.
Requested Relief
- Permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its Website accessible to blind individuals.
- Compensatory damages for violations of civil rights under New York State Human Rights Law and GBL § 349.
- Reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
Proposed Class
All legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Defendant’s Website and as a result have been denied access to the equal enjoyment of goods and services offered by Defendant’s Website, during the relevant statutory period.
Jurisdiction & Venue
The Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 42 U.S.C. § 12181, and supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1367 over Plaintiffs’ claims pursuant to New York State Human Rights Law, NYCHRL, and GBL.
