A visually-impaired individual has filed a class action lawsuit against a luxury jewelry company, accusing it of failing to make its website accessible to blind and visually-impaired users. The complaint was lodged by Washington Benavides Moran in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 18, 2026, targeting Jessica McCormack, Inc.
Washington Benavides Moran, who is legally blind and relies on screen-reading software to navigate websites, claims that Jessica McCormack’s website is not compatible with such technology. This incompatibility allegedly denies him and others with similar disabilities full access to the company’s online offerings. The lawsuit references a 2018 letter from the U.S. Department of Justice affirming that websites must be accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to Moran, this failure by Jessica McCormack violates not only the ADA but also New York State Human Rights Law and New York City Human Rights Law.
The complaint details several specific barriers encountered on the defendant’s website, including missing alternative text for images, broken links, and redundant links that complicate navigation for those using screen readers. Moran recounts his own experience attempting to purchase diamond hoop earrings from the site but being unable to complete the transaction due to these accessibility issues. He argues that such barriers contribute to a sense of isolation among visually-impaired individuals and constitute unlawful discrimination.
Moran seeks a permanent injunction requiring Jessica McCormack to overhaul its website policies and practices to ensure compliance with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Additionally, he requests compensatory damages for himself and other affected individuals, along with attorney fees and costs associated with monitoring compliance post-judgment.
Representing Moran are attorneys Michael A. LaBollita, Dana L. Gottlieb, and Jeffrey M. Gottlieb from Gottlieb & Associates PLLC. The case is presided over by an unnamed judge under Case ID No.: 1:26-cv-1356.
Source: 126cv01356_Washigton_Benavides_v_Jessica_Mccormack_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
