Martinez v. Backcountry.com, LLC

Summary

On August 20, 2020, ABELARDO MARTINEZ JR. filed a Complaint in California State court against BACKCOUNTRY.COM LLC. Plaintiff ABELARDO MARTINEZ JR. alleges that www.backcountry.com is not accessible per the WCAG 2.0 accessibility standard(s).

About the defendant

Backcountry.com is an online retailer of sporting goods, outdoor products, camping gear, apparel, and accessories.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

• Missing alternative text which presents a problem because an image without alternative text results in an empty link. Alternative Text is invisible code embedded beneath a graphical image on a website. Web accessibility requires that Alternative Text be coded with each picture so that a screen reader can speak the Alternative Text where a sighted user sees pictures. Alternative Text does not change thevisual presentation, but instead generates a text box that will pop-up when the mouse moves over the picture. The lack of Alternative Text on these graphics prevents screen readers from accurately vocalizing a description of the graphics;
• Linked image missing alternative text which presents aproblem because an image without alternative text results in an empty link. Images that are the only thing within a link must have descriptive alternative text. If an image is within a link that contains no text and that image does not provide alternative text, a screen reader has no content to present to the user regarding the function of the link;
• Empty or missing form labels which presents a problembecause, if a form control does not have a properly associated text label, the function or purpose of thatform control may not be presented to screen reader users. Form labels provide visible descriptions andlarger clickable targets for form controls;
• Empty headings, which present a problem because aheading contains no content. Keyboard and screen reader users often navigate by heading elements. An empty heading will present no information and may introduce confusion;
• Empty buttons, whichpresent a problem because a button is empty or has no value text. When navigating to a button, descriptive text must be presented to screen reader users to indicate the function of the button; and
• Empty links which present a problem because a link contains no text. If a link contains no text, the function or purpose of the link will not be presented to the user. This can introduce confusion for keyboard and screen reader users.

Legal claims

The laws the plaintiff says the defendant broke, called causes of action.

• Unruh Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code § 51 et seq

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

• For a judgment that Defendant violated Plaintiffs’ rights under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code § 51 et seq.;
• For a preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to take the steps necessary to make the Website, https://www.backcountry.com/, readily accessible to and usable by visually-impaired individuals; but Plaintiffs hereby expressly limit the injunctive relief to require thatDefendant expend no more $20,000 as the cost of injunctive relief;
• An award of statutory minimum damages of $4,000 per violation pursuant to section 52(a) of the California Civil Code; however, Plaintiffs expressly limit the total amount of recovery, including statutory damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and cost of injunctive relief not to exceed$74,999;
• For attorneys’ fees and expenses pursuant to all applicable laws including, without limitation, California Civil Code § 52(a); however, Plaintiffs expressly limit the total amount ofrecovery, including statutory damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and cost of injunctive relief not toexceed $74,999;
• For pre-judgment interest to the extent permitted by law;
• For costs of suit; and
• For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.