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Erika Randolph v. Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Filed

Case details

Standards cited
WCAG 2.2

Summary

According to the complaint, Erika Randolph, a visually-impaired individual, is suing Lifetime Brands, Inc. for failing to make their website, Pfaltzgraff.com, accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Randolph alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently navigating and completing purchases. The complaint cites various access issues, including ambiguous link texts and the requirement to use a mouse for transactions. Randolph seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible, along with compensatory damages for the discrimination faced by her and other blind users.

About the defendant

Provides a wide array of home and kitchen products, including dinnerware sets, plates, bowls, drinkware, flatware, and serveware for online purchase.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

  • Defendant's website is not accessible to blind and visually-impaired persons.
  • Plaintiff encountered multiple accessibility barriers preventing her from completing a purchase.
  • Defendant failed to implement necessary modifications to make the website accessible.

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 Pfaltzgraff.com compliant with the ADA.
  • Declaration of discrimination against the blind on Pfaltzgraff.com.
  • Class action certification and appointment of Plaintiff as Class Representative.
  • Payment of nominal damages.
  • Pre- and post-judgment interest.
  • 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 Pfaltzgraff.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered by Pfaltzgraff.com, during the relevant statutory period.