Lucas Rice, Jessica Meyer v. Columbia Valley Family Farms, Inc.

Summary

According to the complaint, plaintiffs Lucas Rice and Jessica Meyer, both legally blind, are suing Columbia Valley Family Farms, Inc. for failing to make its digital platform accessible, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and New York State Human Rights Law. They allege that they encountered significant barriers while attempting to access the website to purchase pickled products, which prevented them from fully utilizing the services offered. The plaintiffs seek a permanent injunction to require the defendant to improve accessibility, along with compensatory damages and attorneys' fees.

About the defendant

Designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes pickled products and related goods under the brand name Foster's Asparagus.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

• Defendant's digital properties are not accessible to legally blind individuals.
• Plaintiffs encountered barriers that denied them full access to Defendant's online goods and services.
• Accessibility barriers exist on various pages of the Digital Platform.

Legal claims

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

• Title III of the ADA
• Violation of New York State Human Rights Law, Exec. Law, Article 15 § 290, et seq.

What the plaintiff asks for

What the plaintiff wants the court to order.

• A Declaratory Judgment that Defendant was in violation of the ADA and New York laws.
• A permanent injunction requiring Defendant to make its Digital Platform accessible.
• Payment of costs of suit and reasonable attorneys’ fees.
• Payment of compensatory and nominal damages.