Thanksgiving Weekend Caps Off Sharp Uptick in Class Actions Alleging Online Americans with Disabilities Act Violations
Last Updated on March 19, 2018
Filed:
Since our last roundup on the topic, more than 80 class actions have been filed in which plaintiffs claim companies' websites are discriminatory under the ADA.
Thanksgiving marked not only the beginning of the holiday season, but capped off a month in which we saw a noticeable spike in consumer-filed class actions that allege companies’ websites are discriminatory and violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Since we published our last round-up post of ADA-website class action lawsuits, more than 80 cases have been filed in which, notably, a handful of plaintiffs (more on this below) allege the defendants’ websites deny ADA-protected blind or deaf internet users full and equal access to the online ecosystem.
A closer look at the complaints reveals the lawsuits were filed in either Florida or New York—two states whose courts tend to view ADA-website litigation in a more favorable light—by only 13 different plaintiffs. The overwhelming majority of complaints were filed on behalf of blind internet users who, the lawsuits say, were unable to navigate the defendants’ websites using screen-reading software usable on many other companies’ online properties. The defendants in the lawsuits span multiple industries, from retailers selling clothing, furniture and food, to home goods, real estate and bowling alleys.
While arguments exist over whether these kinds of lawsuits should be categorized as “frivolous” in the grander scope of class action litigation, there is no debate that the absence of any directive from the United States Department of Justice with regard to how the ADA should be applied to websites will only lead to even more filings of these types of class actions. Until word comes down from above (in Washington, that is), ClassAction.org will continue to monitor this trend, particularly as November turns to December’s peak-holiday season.
The Lawsuits: Neiman Marcus, St. John’s University, De Beers, Clark’s, Chanel, Uniqlo, 24 Hour Fitness and More
Matzura v. Brown Harris Stevens NYS, LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-06356
Filed – August 22, New York
Website Named: BHUSA.com
Lopez v. Swarovski Digital Business USA Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-08318
Filed – October 27, New York
Website Named: Swarovski.com
Lopez v. The Neiman Marcus Group, LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-08303
Filed – October 27, New York
Website Named: BergdorfGoodman.com
Gomez v. Ryder System, Inc.; 1:17-cv-23951-MGC
Filed – October 30, New York
Website Named: Ryder.com
Gomez v. Claire's Stores, Inc.; 1:17-cv-23953-JLK
Filed – October 30, Florida
Website Named: Claires.com
Gomez v. Carnival Corporation; 1:17-cv-23954-UU
Filed – October 30, Florida
Website Named: Carnival.com
Conner v. Orlando Bathing Suit, LLC; 1:17-cv-06372
Filed – November 1, New York
Website Named: EverythingButWater.com
Conner v. David Yurman Enterprises, LLC; 1:17-cv-06439
Filed – November 6, New York
Website Named: DavidYurman.com
Young v. Gracious Home LLC; 1:17-cv-08582
Filed – November 6, New York
Website Named: GraciousHome.com
Young v. Seaman Schepps & Co., Inc.; 1:17-cv-08606
Filed – November 7, New York
Website Named: SeamanSchepps.com
Norman v. Dennis Basso Boutique, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-08647
Filed – November 7, New York
Website Named: DennisBasso.com
Norman v. J. Mendel Inc.; 1:17-cv-08649
Filed – November 7, New York
Website Named: JMendel.com
Norman v. Anne Fontaine USA, Inc.; 1:17-cv-08646
Filed – November 7, New York
Website Named: AnneFontaine.com
Norman v. Safavieh Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-08681
Filed – November 8, New York
Website Named: Safavieh.com
Norman v. The Shade Store 989, LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-08673
Filed – November 8, New York
Website Named: TheShadeStore.com
Norman v. Scavolini USA Inc.; 1:17-cv-08680
Filed – November 8, New York
Website Named: ScavoliniUSA.com
Norman v. USA Medical of Bensonhurst LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-08710
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: USAVeinClinics.com
Norman v. The Mitchell Gold Co.; 1:17-cv-08737
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: MGBWHome.com
Norman v. Molteni & C S.P.A.; 1:17-cv-08724
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: Molteni.it
Lopez v. Canali E-Com USA LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-08751
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: Canali.com
Lopez v. B & H Foto & Electronics Corp.; 1:17-cv-08750
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: BHPhotoVideo.com
Lopez v. Astoria Bowl Inc.; 1:17-cv-08753
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: AstoriaBowl.com
Lopez v. Billionaire Boys Club, LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-08752
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: BBCIceCream.com
Norman v. Natuzzi Upholstery, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-08719
Filed – November 9, New York
Website Named: Natuzzi.com
Camacho v. Peet's Operating Company; 1:17-cv-08782
Filed – November 10, New York
Website Named: Peets.com
Camacho v. Paige Hospitality Group, LLC; 1:17-cv-08788
Filed – November 11, New York
Website Named: TheAinsworth.com
Camacho v. Frenkel Benefits, LLC; 1:17-cv-08784
Filed - November 11, New York
Website Named: Frenkel.com
Camacho v. La Meridiana, Ltd et al.; 1:17-cv-08787
Filed – November 111, New York
Website Named: Numero28.com
Camacho v. NFP Property & Casualty Services, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-08785
Filed – November 11, New York
Website Named: NFP.com
Camacho v. NRT New York LLC; 1:17-cv-08786
Filed – November 11, New York
Website Named: CitiHabitats.com
Camacho v. Rapid Realty Franchise LLC; 1:17-cv-06596
Filed – November 11, New York
Website Named: RapidNYC.com
Young v. Xi'an Famous Foods, Inc.; 1:17-cv-08817
Filed – November 13, New York
Website Named: XianFoods.com
Young v. Professional Orthopedic and Sports Therapy, P.C.; 1:17-cv-08932
Filed – November 15, New York
Website Named: ProfessionalPT.com
Norman v. Minotti S.P.A.; 1:17-cv-08967
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: MinottiNY.com
Lopez v. Adorama Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-08990
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: Adorama.com
Lopez v. Shell Lanes, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-08989
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: ShellLanes.com
Lopez v. Alfred Dunhill et al.; 1:17-cv-08988
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: Dunhill.com
Lopez v. Daum, Inc.; 1:17-cv-08986
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: US.Daum.fr
Norman v. Janus Et CIE; 1:17-cv-08975
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: JanusetCIE.com
Norman v. Jayson Home, Incorporated; 1:17-cv-08972
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: JaysonHome.com
Norman v. Jennifer Convertibles, Inc.; 1:17-cv-08969
Filed – November 16, New York
Website Named: JenniferFurniture.com
Young v. Porcelanosa New York, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09034
Filed – November 18, New York
Website Named: Porcelanosa-USA.com
Camacho v. Zabar's & Co., Inc.; 1:17-cv-09057
Filed – November 20, New York
Website Named: Zabars.com
Norman v. Herman Miller, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09080
Filed – November 20, New York
Website Named: HermanMIller.com
Lopez v. Melody Lanes Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-09072
Filed – November 20, New York
Website Named: MelodyLanesNY.com
Lopez v. Flexform US, LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-09070
Filed – November 20, New York
Websites Named: FlexForm.it/en, FlexFormNY.com
Lopez v. Lalique North America, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09071
Filed – November 20, New York
Website Named: Lalique.com
Norman v. Fratelli Rossetti New York, Ltd.; 1:17-cv-09084
Filed – November 20, New York
Website Named: FratelliRossetti.com
Andrews v. The Fireman Group Cafe Concepts, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-06804
Filed – November 20, New York
Website Named: RedEyeGrill.com
Delacruz v. St. John's University; 7:17-cv-09093-CS
Filed – November 20, New York
Website Named: StJohns.Edu
Martinez v. Shinola/Detroit, LLC; 1:17-cv-06830
Filed – November 21, New York
Website Named: Shinola.com
Kiler v. Paper Source, Inc.; 1:17-cv-06832
Filed – November 21, New York
Website Named: PaperSource.com
Crosson v. Rebecca Taylor, Inc.; 1:17-cv-06819
Filed – November 21, New York
Website Named: RebeccaTaylor.com
Mendizabal v. CR Licensing LLC; 1:17-cv-09231
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: CynthiaRowley.com
Mendizabal v. De Beers Diamond Jewelers US, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09233
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: DeBeers.com
Jorge v. Uniqlo USA, LLC; 1:17-cv-09187
Filed- November 22, New York
Website Named: Uniqlo.com
Jorge v. Stuart Weitzman Retail Stores, LLC; 1:17-cv-09191
Filed – November 22, New York
Website Named: StuartWeizman.com
Jorge v. Joe's Jeans, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09194
Filed – November 22, New York
Website Named: JoesJeans.com
Jorge v. ITX USA, LLC; 1:17-cv-09210
Filed – November 22, New York
Website Named: Bershka.com
Jorge v. C & J Clark America, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09207
Filed – November 22, New York
Website Named: ClarksUSA.com
Jorge v. Fred Perry USA, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09211
Filed – November 22, New York
Website Named: FredPerry.com
Mendizabal v. Bulgari Corporation of America; 1:17-cv-09225
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: Bulgari.com
Mendizabal v. 24 Hour Fitness USA, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09223
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: 24HourFitness.com
Mendizabal v. Century 21 Department Stores LLC; 1:17-cv-09227
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: C21Stores.com
Mendizabal v. Chanel, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09229
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: Chanel.com
Mendizabal v. Charles Tyrwhitt, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09222
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: CTShirts.com
Mendizabal v. Ballet Makers, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-09226
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: Capezio.com
Mendizabal v. Brioni America, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-09221
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: Brioni.com
Mendizabal v. Barney's Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-09220
Filed – November 23, New York
Website Named: Barneys.com
Jorge v. Calzedonia USA, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09200
Filed – November 22, New York
Website Named: Us.Intimissimi.com
Jorge v. Etro USA, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09199
Filed – November 22, New York
Website Named: Etro.com
Jorge v. GBG USA, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-09266
Filed – November 27, New York
Website Named: TheFryeCompany.com
Jorge v. Gant U.S.A. Corporation; 1:17-cv-09271
Filed – November 27, New York
Website Named: Gant.com
Jorge v. Furla USA, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09272
Filed - November 27, New York
Website Named: US.Furla.com
Jorge v. Ermenegildo Zegna Corporation; 1:17-cv-09284
Filed – November 27, New York
Website Named: Zegna.us
Mendizabal v. Dr. Jays Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-09277
Filed – November 27, New York
Website Named: DrJays.com
Mendizabal v. Donna Karan International, Inc.; 1:17-cv-09281
Filed – November 27, New York
Website Named: DKNY.com
Camacho v. New York Urban Ownership Management LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-09278
Filed – November 27, New York
Website Named: ManhattanClub.com
Jorge v. Fairway Group Holdings Corp. et al.; 1:17-cv-09309
Filed – November 28, New York
Website Named: FairwayMarket.com
Jorge v. Key Food Market, Inc. et al.; 1:17-cv-09306
Filed – November 28, New York
Website Named: KeyFood.com
Jorge v. Gristedes 59 LLC et al.; 1:17-cv-09312
Filed – November 28, New York
Website Named: GristedesSuperMarkets.com
Our previous ADA-website lawsuit roundup can be found here.
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