Michael Wood v. Weber Grill Restaurants, LLC

Summary

According to the complaint, Michael Wood, a visually impaired individual, is suing Weber Grill Restaurants, LLC for failing to make its website accessible to blind users, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Wood alleges that the website contains significant barriers that prevent him and others from completing transactions independently. He seeks a permanent injunction to require the defendant to make the website accessible and compensatory damages for the discrimination faced. The complaint highlights specific accessibility issues, including the lack of alternative text for images and reliance on mouse navigation, which excludes visually impaired individuals from accessing the services offered online.

About the defendant

Provides access to a menu of grilled American specialties, a full-service bar, private dining options, catering services, interactive grilling classes, and gift card offerings, with the ability to sign up for newsletters and updates, place online orders, and make reservations.

What the complaint says

The problems the plaintiff describes with the website.

• Website is inaccessible to blind and visually impaired individuals
• Significant access barriers prevent completing transactions
• Defendant's website design relies on visual interface without accommodations for screen-reader users
• Defendant has failed to take actions to correct access barriers

Legal claims

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

• Violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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 the Website compliant with the ADA
• Declaration that Defendant discriminates against the visually impaired
• Order certifying this case as a class action
• Pre- and post-judgment interest
• Award of costs and expenses of this action together with reasonable attorneys’ and expert fees

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