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Dustin Youngren v. Blue Crane Studio, LLC

Filed

Case details

Summary

According to the complaint, plaintiff DUSTIN YOUNGREN is suing Blue Crane Studio, LLC for failing to make their website, Brooklyncandlestudio.com, accessible to blind and visually-impaired individuals. The complaint alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent these individuals from independently navigating and completing purchases. Specific issues include a lack of alternative text for images, improper heading structures, and reliance on mouse navigation, which excludes blind users. Plaintiffs seek a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible, along with compensatory damages for the discrimination experienced. The case is filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

About the defendant

Blue Crane Studio provides a website that offers a variety of home fragrance products, including soy candles, reed diffusers, room sprays, gift sets, and candle accessories for online 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 significant access barriers on the website
  • Defendant failed to comply with the ADA
  • Plaintiff was denied the ability to independently navigate and make purchases on the 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.

  • Preliminary and permanent injunction to prohibit Defendant from violating the ADA
  • Injunction requiring Defendant to make its website accessible
  • Declaration of discrimination against the blind
  • Class action certification
  • Payment of nominal damages
  • Pre- and post-judgment interest
  • Award of costs and expenses
  • Punitive damages
  • Compensatory damages

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 Brooklyncandlestudio.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Brooklyncandlestudio.com, during the relevant statutory period.