Plaintiff
- Name: Z’Leah Liburd
- Filing Date: January 29, 2026
- Court: United States District Court Middle District of Florida
- State: Florida
- Attorney Firm: Equal Access Law Group, PLLC
Defendant
- Name: Berns Steak House, Inc.
- Website: bernssteakhouse.com
- Industry: Food & Staples Retailing
- Standards Cited: WCAG 2.2 AA
- Summary: Operates a restaurant services platform offering fine-dining options including steaks, seafood, and an award-winning wine program, allowing online reservations and providing information about dining policies.
Case Summary
According to the complaint, Plaintiff Z’LEAH LIBURD, a visually-impaired individual, alleges that the Defendant, BERNS STEAK HOUSE, INC., operates a website that is inaccessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The website, which offers fine-dining services and allows for online reservations, contains significant barriers that prevent users from accessing essential information and completing reservations. The Plaintiff encountered multiple issues, including a lack of compatibility with screen-reading software, which hindered her ability to navigate the site effectively. The Plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction to require the Defendant to make the website accessible and compliant with ADA standards, as well as damages and legal fees.
Causes of Action
- Violations of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182, et seq.
- Declaratory Relief
Key Allegations
- Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually-impaired individuals.
- Access barriers prevent users from making reservations and accessing information about the restaurant.
- Defendant has failed to comply with ADA requirements for website accessibility.
Requested Relief
- Permanent injunction requiring compliance with ADA standards.
- Payment of nominal damages.
- Award of costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
Proposed Class
Individuals with visual impairments who require screen-reading software to access online content.
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)(1-2).
