Andre Battle v. Panini America, Inc.

Summary

According to the complaint, Andre Battle, a visually-impaired individual, is suing Panini America, Inc. for failing to make their website, Paniniamerica.net, accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Battle alleges that he encountered numerous barriers while attempting to navigate the website, which prevented him from completing a purchase of sports trading cards. The complaint cites specific accessibility issues, such as missing alt-text for images and a lack of keyboard navigation options. Battle seeks a permanent injunction to require Panini America to make their website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination he faced. The case is filed as a class action on behalf of all legally blind individuals who have faced similar issues with the website.

About the defendant

Panini America provides a website that offers a wide array of goods and services, including sports trading cards, hobby boxes, retail boxes, trading card packs, limited edition releases, autograph cards, memorabilia cards, and collectible card sets for purchase.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

• Defendant's website is inaccessible to blind and visually-impaired persons.
• Plaintiff encountered numerous accessibility issues while attempting to use the website.
• Defendant has failed to take steps to correct access barriers on its website.

Legal claims

The laws the plaintiff says the defendant broke, called 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

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

• A preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• A preliminary and permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its website fully compliant with the ADA.
• A declaration that Defendant’s website discriminates against the blind.
• An order certifying this case as a class action.
• Payment of nominal damages.
• Pre- and post-judgment interest.
• An award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees.
• Punitive damages.
• Compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial.

Proposed class

The group of people the plaintiff asks to represent, so the case can cover them too.

all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access Paniniamerica.net and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Paniniamerica.net, during the relevant statutory period.