A visually-impaired man has taken legal action against a beauty company, claiming its website is inaccessible to those with disabilities. James Murphy filed a class-action complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on December 2, 2025, against Patrick Ta Beauty, LLC. Murphy alleges that the company’s website is not compatible with screen-reading software, which prevents blind and visually-impaired individuals from accessing the site’s content and services.
According to the complaint, Murphy requires screen-reading software to navigate websites due to his visual impairment. He argues that Patrick Ta Beauty’s website does not meet accessibility standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that public accommodations be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The lawsuit cites a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice confirming that ADA compliance extends to websites owned or operated by public accommodations.
Murphy’s complaint highlights several barriers he encountered while attempting to use Patrick Ta Beauty’s website. These include missing alternative text for images, broken links, and redundant links that hinder navigation for users relying on screen readers. The plaintiff asserts that these issues prevent him from purchasing products and accessing information about makeup and cosmetics offered by the company.
The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction requiring Patrick Ta Beauty to modify its website policies and practices to ensure accessibility for blind and visually-impaired consumers. This includes hiring a web accessibility consultant, conducting regular audits and user testing, and providing training for employees involved in web development. Additionally, Murphy requests compensatory damages for himself and other affected individuals under New York State Human Rights Law, New York City Human Rights Law, and General Business Law § 349.
Representing Murphy are attorneys Dana L. Gottlieb, Jeffrey M. Gottlieb, and Michael A. LaBollita of Gottlieb & Associates PLLC. The case is assigned Case ID No.: 1:25-cv-09978 in front of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Source: 125cv09978_James_Murphy_v_Patrick_TA_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
