1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

CASE NO. 

NELSON FERNANDEZ, 

Plaintiff,

vs.

SHOP 601, LLC, d/b/a MELISSA

SHOES, a foreign limited liability company,

Defendant.

______________________________________/

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff NELSON FERNANDEZ, through undersigned counsel, sues Defendant SHOP

601, LLC, d/b/a MELISSA SHOES, a foreign limited liability company, and alleges as follows:

1. This is an action for declaratory and injunctive relief pursuant to Title III of the 

Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. §§12181-12189 (“ADA”), as amended, and 28 C.F.R. 

Part 36. This is also an action for declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent discrimination which 

includes equal access to internet Website for services to order and secure information about 

Defendant’s stores online. This is also an action for declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the 

continuing act of trespass against the Plaintiff’s personal property (his personal computer), and for 

compensatory damages to Plaintiff for such trespass. Remedies provided under common law for 

trespass are not exclusive and may be sought in connection with suits brought under the ADA.

 2. This Court has jurisdiction over this case based on federal question jurisdiction, 28 

U.S.C. §1331 and the provisions of the ADA. Plaintiff seeks declaratory and injunctive relief 

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 1 of 20
2

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 2201 and 2202. In addition, this Court has supplementary jurisdiction 

over Plaintiff’s common law tort claim pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1367.

3. Venue is proper in this Court as all actions complained of herein and injuries and 

damages suffered occurred in the Southern District of Florida.

4. Plaintiff NELSON FERNANDEZ is a resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, is 

sui juris, and is disabled as defined by the ADA and ADA Amendments Act of 2008, 42 U.S.C. 

§12101 (“ADAAA”).

5. Plaintiff is and at all relevant times has been visually impaired and physically 

disabled who has been diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (“RRMS”). As a 

result of his disease, Plaintiff is currently paralyzed in approximately 80% to 90% of his body as 

a whole and only has very limited use of his left hand. Further, as a consequence of his disease, 

Plaintiff has developed optic neuritis and is visually disabled, with complete blindness in one eye 

and very limited vision in the other eye. Plaintiff thus is substantially limited in performing one 

or more major life activities, including, but not limited to, seeing and accurately visualizing his 

world and adequately traversing obstacles. As such, he is a member of a protected class under the 

ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12102(1)-(2), the regulations implementing the ADA set forth at 28 CFR §§ 

36.101, et seq., and in 42 U.S.C. §3602(h). 

6. Because he is visually disabled, Plaintiff cannot use his computer without the 

assistance of appropriate and available screen reader software and other technology and assistance.

7. Defendant is a foreign limited liability company authorized to do business and 

doing business in the State of Florida. Defendant owns and operates a nationwide chain of retail 

stores selling to the public men’s and women’s footwear, handbags and accessories, including the 

store that Plaintiff intended to patronize at 7535 North Kendal Drive, #2050, Miami, Florida.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 2 of 20
3

8. Plaintiff’s visual disability limits him in the performance of major life activities, 

including sight, and he requires assistive technologies, auxiliary aids and services for effective 

communication, including communication in connection with his use of a computer. 

9. Plaintiff frequently accesses the internet. Because he is significantly and 

permanently visually disabled, in order to effectively communicate and comprehend information 

available on the internet and hereby access/comprehend websites, Plaintiff uses commercially 

available screen reader software to interface with the various websites.

10. At all times material hereto, Defendant was and still is an organization that owns 

and operates a chain of men’s and women’s footwear, handbags and accessories stores selling 

merchandise under the brand name “Melissa Shoes”. Each Melissa Shoes store is open to the 

public. As the owner and operator of these retail stores, Defendant is defined as a place of “public 

accommodation" within meaning of Title III because Defendant is a private entity which owns 

and/or operates “[A] bakery, grocery store, clothing store, hardware store, shopping center, or 

other sales or rental establishment,” per 42 U.S.C. §12181(7) (E) and 28 C.F.R. §36.104(2).

11. Because Defendant is a store open to the public, each of Defendant’s physical stores 

is a place of public accommodation subject to the requirements of Title III of the ADA and its 

implementing regulation; 42 U.S.C. §12182, §12181(7)(E), and 28 C.F.R. Part 36. 

12. Defendant also controls, maintains, and/or operates an adjunct website called 

https://www.shop601.com (hereinafter the “Website”). One of the functions of the Website is to 

provide the public information on the various locations of Defendant’s stores that sell its 

merchandise throughout the United States and within the State of Florida. Defendant also sells to 

the public its merchandise and goods through the Website.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 3 of 20
4

13. The Website also services Defendant’s physical stores by providing information on 

its available products and branded merchandise, tips and advice, editorials, sales campaigns, 

events, and other information that Defendant is interested in communicating to its customers.

14. Because the Website allows the public the ability to locate Defendant’s physical 

stores, purchase merchandise from Defendant that is also available for purchase in its physical 

stores, purchase gift cards for use in the physical stores, check gift card balances, and sign up for 

an electronic emailer to receive offers, benefits, exclusive invitations, and discounts for use in the 

physical stores, the Website is an extension of, and gateway to, Defendant’s physical stores. By 

this nexus, the Website is characterized as an intangible service, privilege and advantage provided 

by a place of public accommodation as defined under the ADA and thus an extension of the 

services, privileges and advantages made available to the general public by Defendant through its 

brick and mortar locations and businesses.

15. Because the public can view and purchase Defendant’s merchandise that is also 

offered for sale by Defendant in its physical stores, purchase gift cards or use in the physical stores, 

check gift card balances, and sign up for an electronic emailer to receive offers, benefits, exclusive 

invitations, and discounts for use in the physical stores, the Website is an extension of, and gateway 

to, the physical stores, which are places of public accommodation pursuant to the ADA, 42 U.S.C. 

§ 12181(7)(E). As such, the Website is an intangible service, privilege and advantage of 

Defendant’s brick and mortar store locations that must comply with all requirements of the ADA, 

must not discriminate against individuals with visual disabilities, and must not deny those 

individuals the same full and equal enjoyment of the services, privileges and advantages afforded 

to the non-disabled general public both online and in its physical stores.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 4 of 20
5

16. At all times material hereto, Defendant was and still is an organization owning and 

operating the Website. Since the Website is open to the public through the internet, by this nexus 

the Website is an intangible service, privilege and advantage of Defendant’s brick and mortar 

stores that must comply with all requirements of the ADA, must not discriminate against 

individuals with visual or physical disabilities, and must not deny those individuals the full and 

equal enjoyment of the services, privileges and advantages afforded to the non-disabled public 

both online and at the physical store. As such, Defendant has subjected itself and the Website to 

the requirements of the ADA.

17. Plaintiff is and has been a customer who is interested in patronizing, and intends to 

patronize in the near future once the Website’s access barriers are removed or remedied, 

Defendant’s physical stores (including the store located at 7535 North Kendal Drive, #2050,

Miami, Florida), and to purchase merchandise and gift cards and sign up for an electronic emailer 

to receive offers, benefits, exclusive invitations, and discounts for use on the Website or in 

Defendant’s physical stores. 

18. The opportunity to shop and pre-shop Defendant’s merchandise and sign up for an 

electronic emailer to receive offers, benefits, exclusive invitations, and discounts for use in the 

physical stores from his home are important accommodations for Plaintiff because traveling 

outside of his home as a physically and visually disabled individual is often difficult, hazardous, 

frightening, frustrating and confusing experience. Defendant has not provided its business 

information in any other digital format that is accessible for use by blind and visually impaired 

individuals using the screen reader software.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 5 of 20
6

19. Like many consumers, Plaintiff accesses a number of websites at a time to help plan 

his visit, compare merchandise, prices, sales, discounts, and promotions. Plaintiff may look at 

several dozens of sites to compare features, discounts, promotions, and prices.

20. During the month of January 2020, Plaintiff attempted on a number of occasions to 

utilize the Website to browse through the merchandise and online offers to educate himself as to 

the merchandise, sales, discounts, and promotions being offered, to search for the brick and mortar 

locations and check store hours, and to check availability and pricing of merchandise with the 

intent to make a purchase through the Website or at one of Defendant’s stores.

21. Plaintiff utilizes available screen reader software that allows individuals who are 

visually disabled to communicate with websites. However, Defendant’s Website contains access 

barriers that prevent free and full use by visually disabled individuals using keyboards and 

available screen reader software. These barriers are pervasive and include, but are not limited to: 

a. Mislabeled links;

b. Site function like menu drop-down options not labeled to integrate with

 the screen reader;

c. Links not labeled;

d. Mislabeled descriptions for image content; and

e. Content was not presented in a way without losing information and structure.

22. The Website also lacks prompting information and accommodations necessary to 

allow visually disabled individuals who use screen reader software to locate and accurately fill out 

online forms to purchase Defendant’s merchandise from the Website.

23. Plaintiff attempted to locate an “accessibility” notice, statement or policy on the 

Website that would direct him to a webpage with content and contact information for disabled 

individuals who have questions, concerns, or who are having difficulties communicating with the 

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 6 of 20
7

Website. However, Plaintiff was unable to do so because no such link or notice, statement or 

policy was available to or accessible by Plaintiff at the time of his visit.

24. The fact that Plaintiff could not communicate with or within the Website left him 

feeling excluded, as he is unable to participate in the same online computer shopping experience, 

with access to the merchandise, sales, discounts, and promotions as provided at the Website and 

for use in the physical stores, as the non-visually disabled public.

25. Plaintiff desires and intends, in the near future once the Website’s access barriers 

are removed or remedied, to patronize Defendant’s physical stores and to use the Website, but he 

is unable to fully do so as he is unable to effectively communicate with Defendant due to his severe 

visual disability and Defendant’s Website’s access barriers. Thus, Plaintiff, as well as others who 

are blind or with visual disabilities, will suffer continuous and ongoing harm from Defendant’s 

intentional acts, omissions, policies, and practices as set forth herein unless properly enjoined by 

this Court.

26. Because of the nexus between Defendant’s retail stores and the Website, and the 

fact that the Website clearly provides support and is connected to Defendant’s retail stores for its 

operation and use, the Website is an intangible service, privilege and an advantage of Defendant’s 

brick and mortar store that must comply with all requirements of the ADA, must not discriminate 

against individuals with disabilities, and must not deny those individuals the same full and equal 

enjoyment of the services, privileges and advantages afforded to the non-disabled public both online and at its physical locations, which are places of public accommodations subject to the 

requirements of the ADA.

27. On information and belief, Defendant has not initiated a Web Accessibility Policy 

to ensure full and equal use of the Website by individuals with disabilities.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 7 of 20
8

28. On information and belief, Defendant has not instituted a Web Accessibility 

Committee to ensure full and equal use of Website by individuals with disabilities.

29. On information and belief, Defendant has not designated an employee as a Web 

Accessibility Coordinator to ensure full and equal use of the Website by individuals with 

disabilities.

30. On information and belief, Defendant has not instituted a Web Accessibility User 

Accessibility Testing Group to ensure full and equal use of the Website by individuals with 

disabilities.

31. On information and belief, Defendant has not instituted a User Accessibility 

Testing Group to ensure full and equal use of the Website by individuals with disabilities.

32. On information and belief, Defendant has not instituted a Bug Fix Priority Policy.

33. On information and belief, Defendant has not instituted an Automated Web 

Accessibility Testing program. 

34. On information and belief, Defendant has not created and instituted a Specialized 

Customer Assistance line or service or email contact mode for customer assistance for the visually 

disabled.

35. On information and belief, Defendant has not created and instituted on the Website 

a page for individuals with disabilities, nor displayed a link and information hotline, nor created 

an information portal explaining when and how Defendant will have the Website, applications, 

and digital assets accessible to the visually disabled or blind community.

36. On information and belief, the Website does not meet the Web Content 

Accessibility Guidelines (“WCAG”) 2.0 Level AA or higher versions of web accessibility.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 8 of 20
9

37. On information and belief, Defendant has not disclosed to the public any intended 

audits, changes, or lawsuits to correct the inaccessibility of the Website to visually disabled 

individuals who want the safety and privacy of purchasing Defendant’s merchandise offered on 

the Website online from their homes.

38. Thus, Defendant has not provided full and equal enjoyment of the services, 

facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations provided by and through the Website, in 

contravention of the ADA.

39. Further, public accommodations under the ADA must ensure that their places of 

public accommodation provide effective communication for all members of the general public, 

including individuals with disabilities such as Plaintiff.

40. The broad mandate of the ADA is to provide an equal opportunity for individuals 

with disabilities to participate in and benefit from all aspects of American civic and economic life. 

That mandate extends to internet shopping Websites, such as the Website at issue in the instant 

action.

41. On information and belief, Defendant is, and at all times has been, aware of the 

barriers to effective communication within the Website which prevent individuals with disabilities 

who are visually disabled from the means to comprehend information presented therein.

42. On information and belief, Defendant is aware of the need to provide full access to 

all visitors to the Website.

43. The barriers that exist on the Website result in discriminatory and unequal 

treatment of individuals with disabilities who are visually disabled, including Plaintiff.

44. Plaintiff has no plain, adequate, or complete remedy at law to redress the wrongs 

alleged hereinabove, and this suit for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief is his only means 

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 9 of 20
10

to secure adequate and complete redress from Defendant’s unlawful and discriminatory practices 

in connection with its website access and operation.

45. Notice to Defendant is not required because of Defendant’s failure to cure the 

violations. 

46. Enforcement of Plaintiff’s rights under the ADA is right and just pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. §§ 2201 and 2202.

47. Plaintiff has retained the undersigned attorneys to represent him in this case, and 

has agreed to pay them a reasonable fee for their services.

Trespass Violations

48. Plaintiff utilizes his computer to access websites such as Defendant’s Website. 

49. Plaintiff uses his computer as a method of conveyance of his personal information. 

Plaintiff thus stores his personal information and retains his browsing history on his computer.

50. Throughout the Website, Defendant has placed forms of software to collect nonpublic information on the website’s user’s preferences and internet browsing habits.

51. Defendant informs the Website user that the user’s personal information and 

browsing history is collected and is used for targeted marketing and advertising.

52. Because of his blindness, Plaintiff was unable to comprehend the Website; 

therefore, Plaintiff has had no choice, and likewise no knowledge, of Defendant’s installation of 

data and information tracking software and the collection of the website user’s browsing history 

and analytics placed on the user’s computer.

53. Based upon the review of the Website, when a user accesses the Website, Defendant 

places software on the Plaintiff’s personal computer, without the user’s advance consent or 

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 10 of 20
11

knowledge. It is also clear that Defendant has used browser cookies to identify websites that 

Plaintiff has previously visited by accessing Plaintiff’s web browser history.

54. As such, through its Website, Defendant has committed a trespass against the 

Plaintiff, since the Website places information gathering software on the Plaintiff’s computer 

without Plaintiff’s knowledge or consent.

COUNT I – VIOLATION OF THE ADA

55. Plaintiff re-alleges paragraphs 1 through 47 as if set forth fully herein.

56. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §12181(7) (E), Defendant is a public accommodation under 

the ADA because it owns and/or operates the Website, as defined within §12181(7) (E) and is 

subject to the ADA.

57. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §12181(7)(E), the Website is covered under the ADA 

because it provides the general public with the ability to locate Defendant’s physical stores, 

purchase gift cards for use in the physical stores, check gift card balances, and sign up for an 

electronic emailer to receive offers, benefits, exclusive invitations, and discounts for use at the 

physical stores. The Website thus is an extension of, gateway to, and intangible service, privilege 

and advantage of Defendant’s physical stores. Further, the Website also serves to augment 

Defendant’s physical stores by providing the public information on the various physical locations 

of the stores and by educating the public as to Defendant’s available merchandise sold through the 

Website and in its physical stores.

58. Under Title III of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(1)(A)(II), it is unlawful 

discrimination to deny individuals with disabilities or a class of individuals with disabilities an 

opportunity to participate in or benefit from the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, 

or accommodation, which is equal to the opportunities afforded to other individuals.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 11 of 20
12

59. Specifically, under Title III of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(2)(A)(II), unlawful 

discrimination includes, among other things, “a failure to make reasonable modifications in 

policies, practices, or procedures, when such modifications are necessary to afford such goods, 

services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to individuals with disabilities, 

unless the entity can demonstrate that making such modifications would fundamentally alter the 

nature of such goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations.”

60. In addition, under Title III of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12182(b)(2)(A)(III), unlawful 

discrimination also includes, among other things, “a failure to take such steps, as may be necessary 

to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise 

treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services, 

unless the entity can demonstrate that taking such steps would fundamentally alter the nature of 

the good, service, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation being offered or would result 

in an undue burden.”

61. Defendant’s Website must comply with the ADA, but it is not, as specifically 

alleged hereinabove and below.

62. Because of the inaccessibility of the Website, individuals with disabilities who are 

visually disabled are denied full and equal enjoyment of the information and services that 

Defendant has made available to the public on its Website, and at its physical stores, in violation

of 42 U.S.C. §12101, et seq, and as prohibited by 42 U.S.C. §12182, et seq.

63. The Website was subsequently visited by Plaintiff’s expert in February 2020, and 

the expert determination was that the same access barriers that Plaintiff had initially encountered 

still existed. Despite being a defendant in at least one prior ADA accessibility lawsuit, which 

likely resulted in a confidential settlement agreement that obligated Defendant to fully remediate 

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 12 of 20
13

the Website, Defendant has made no material changes or improvements to the Website, nor has it 

incorporated or displayed an effective “accessibility” notice, statement or policy to enable the 

Website’s full use, enjoyment and accessibility for visually disabled persons such as Plaintiff. 

Defendant also has not disclosed, to the public, any intended audits, changes, or lawsuits to correct 

the inaccessibility of the Website to visually disabled individuals. Defendants thus has failed to 

make reasonable modifications in its policies, practices, or procedures when such modifications 

are necessary to afford goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations to 

individuals with disabilities, in violation of 28 C.F.R. §36.302. The lack of an effective and 

available accessibility notice, policy or statement and the following access barriers continue to 

render the Website not fully accessible to users who are blind and visually disabled, including 

Plaintiff:

a. Mislabeled links;

b. Site function like menu drop-down options not labeled to integrate with

 the screen reader;

c. Links not labeled;

d. Mislabeled descriptions for image content; and

e. Content was not presented in a way without losing information and structure.

See, Expert Declaration and Curriculum Vitae of Robert D. Moody, attached as Composite Exhibit 

“A”. 

64. More violations may be present on other pages of the Website, which can and will 

be determined and proven through the discovery process in this case.

65. Further, the Website does not offer or include the universal symbol for the disabled 

that would permit disabled individuals to access the Website’s accessibility information and 

accessibility facts.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 13 of 20
14

66. There are readily available, well established guidelines on the internet for making 

Websites accessible to the blind and visually disabled. These guidelines have been followed by 

other large business entities in making their websites accessible. Examples of such guidelines 

include, but not limited to, adding alt-text to graphics and ensuring that all functions can be 

performed using a keyboard. Incorporating such basic components to make the Website accessible 

would neither fundamentally alter the nature of Defendant’s business nor would it result in an 

undue burden to the Defendant.

67. Defendant has violated the ADA -- and continues to violate the ADA -- by denying 

access to the Website by individuals, such as Plaintiff, with visual disabilities who requires the 

assistance of interface with screen reader software to comprehend and access internet websites. 

These violations within the Website are ongoing.

68. The ADA and ADAAA require that public accommodations and places of public 

accommodation ensure that communication is effective. 

69. According to 28 C.F.R. §36.303(b) (1), auxiliary aids and services include “voice, 

text, and video-based telecommunications products and systems”. Indeed, 28 C.F.R. §36.303(b)(2) 

specifically states that screen reader software is an effective method of making visually delivered 

material available to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

70. According to 28 C.F.R. §36.303(c), public accommodations must furnish 

appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary to ensure effective communication with

individuals with disabilities: “In order to be effective, auxiliary aids and services must be provided 

in accessible formats, in a timely manner, and in such a way as to protect the privacy and 

independence of the individual with a disability,” 28 C.F.R. §36.303(c) (1) (ii).

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 14 of 20
15

71. Part 36 of Title 28 of the C.F.R. was designed and is implemented to effectuate 

subtitle A of Title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by 

public accommodations, and requires places of public accommodation to be designed, constructed, 

and altered in compliance with the accessibility standards established by Part 36.

72. As alleged hereinabove, the Website has not been designed to interface with the 

widely and readily available technologies that can be used to ensure effective communication, and 

thus violates the ADA.

73. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s failure to provide an ADA 

compliant Website, with a nexus to its brick and mortar physical stores locations, Plaintiff has 

suffered an injury in fact by being denied full access to and enjoyment of Defendant’s Website 

and physical stores. 

74. Because of the inadequate development and administration of the Website, Plaintiff 

is entitled to injunctive relief pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §12133 and 28 C.F.R. §36.303, to remedy the 

ongoing disability discrimination. 

75. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §12188, this Court is vested with the authority to grant 

Plaintiff appropriate and necessary injunctive relief; including an order to: 

a) Require Defendant to adopt and implement a web accessibility policy to make publicly 

available and directly link from the homepage of the Website to a functional statement as to the 

Defendant’s policy to ensure persons with disabilities have full and equal enjoyment of the 

services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations through the Website.

b) Require Defendant to take the necessary steps to make the Website readily accessible 

to and usable by visually disabled users, and during that time period prior to the Website’s being 

readily accessible, to provide an alternative method for individuals with visual disabilities to access 

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 15 of 20
16

the information available on the Website until such time that the requisite modifications are made, 

and 

c) Require Defendant to provide the appropriate auxiliary aids such that individuals with 

visual impairments will be able to effectively communicate with the Website for purposes of 

viewing and locating Defendant’s physical stores and locations, and becoming informed of and 

purchasing Defendant’s merchandise online, and during that time period prior to the Website’s 

being designed to permit individuals with visual disabilities to effectively communicate, to provide 

an alternative method for individuals with visual disabilities to effectively communicate for such 

goods and services made available to the general public through the Website. 

76. Plaintiff is entitled to recover his reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and expenses 

pursuant to the ADA. To that end, Plaintiff has been obligated to retain the undersigned counsel 

for the filing and prosecution of this action and has agreed to pay them a reasonable fee for their 

services. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests entry of judgment in his favor and against Defendant for 

the following relief:

A. A declaration that Defendant’s Website is in violation of the ADA;

B. An Order requiring Defendant, by a date certain, to update the Website, and continue 

to monitor and update the Website on an ongoing basis, to remove barriers in order that 

individuals with visual disabilities can access, and continue to access, the Website and 

effectively communicate with the Website to the full extent required by Title III of the 

ADA; 

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 16 of 20
17

C. An Order requiring Defendant, by a date certain, to clearly display the universal 

disabled logo within the Website, wherein the logo1 would lead to a page which would 

state Defendant’s accessibility information, facts, policies, and accommodations. Such 

a clear display of the disabled logo is to ensure that individuals who are disabled are 

aware of the availability of the accessible features of the Website;

D. An Order requiring Defendant, by a date certain, to provide ongoing support for web 

accessibility by implementing a website accessibility coordinator, a website application 

accessibility policy, and providing for website accessibility feedback to ensure 

compliance thereto;

E. An Order directing Defendant, by a date certain, to evaluate its policies, practices and 

procedures toward persons with disabilities, for such reasonable time to allow 

Defendant to undertake and complete corrective procedures to its Website;

F. An Order directing Defendant, by a date certain, to establish a policy of web 

accessibility and accessibility features for the Website to ensure effective 

communication for individuals who are visually disabled;

G. An Order requiring, by a date certain, that any third-party vendors who participate on 

Defendant’s Website to be fully accessible to the visually disabled;

H. An Order directing Defendant, by a date certain and at least once yearly thereafter, to 

provide mandatory web accessibility training to all employees who write or develop 

programs or code for, or who publish final content to, the Website on how to conform 

 

1 or similar.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 17 of 20
18

all web content and services with ADA accessibility requirements and applicable 

accessibility guidelines;

I. An Order directing Defendant, by a date certain and at least once every three months 

thereafter, to conduct automated accessibility tests of the Website to identify any 

instances where the Website is no longer in conformance with the accessibility 

requirements of the ADA and any applicable accessibility guidelines, and further 

directing Defendant to send a copy of the twelve (12) quarterly reports to Plaintiff’s 

counsel for review;

J. An Order directing Defendant, by a date certain, to make publicly available and directly 

link from the Website homepage, a statement of Defendant’s Accessibility Policy to 

ensure the persons with disabilities have full and equal enjoyment of the Website and 

shall accompany the public policy statement with an accessible means of submitting 

accessibility questions and problems; 

K. An award to Plaintiff of her reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and expenses; and

L. Such other and further relief as the Court deems just and equitable. 

COUNT II – TRESPASS

77. Plaintiff re-alleges paragraphs 1 through 54 as if set forth fully herein.

78. Plaintiff’s tangible personal property, being his computer and the personal 

information and browsing history stored therein, has suffered a trespass by Defendant on each and 

every date that the Plaintiff has accessed Defendant’s Website, due to Defendant’s employment of 

software analytics which are present on and through the Website, which the Plaintiff has navigated.

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 18 of 20
19

79. At all relevant times, Plaintiff did not consent to and was unaware that the Website 

was placing software on his computer due to his inability to effectively communicate with and 

fully view and access the Website.

80. Plaintiff did not consent to the placement of tracking and information securing 

software on his computer; therefore, Defendant has committed a trespass against Plaintiff by 

placing such software and extracting information from his computer without his knowledge or 

consent.

81. By the acts described hereinabove, Defendant has repeatedly and persistently 

engaged in trespass of Plaintiff’s personal property in violation of Florida common law against 

trespass.

82. Defendant’s installation, operation, and execution of software on Plaintiff’s 

computer have directly and proximately impaired the condition and value of the Plaintiff’s 

computer, thereby causing Plaintiff damages.

83. The Website has a “Privacy Policy” that discusses the automatic gathering of 

information from, and the automatic placement of cookies and other information gathering 

software on, computers and electronic devices of users of the Website such as Plaintiff. A copy 

of that “Privacy Policy” is attached hereto as Exhibit “B” and its contents are incorporated herein 

by reference.

84. Defendant’s trespass to chattels, nuisance, and interference has caused real and 

substantial damage to Plaintiff as follows:

a) By consuming the resources of and/or degrading the performance of Plaintiff’s 

computer (including space, memory, processing cycles, and internet connectivity);

b) By infringing on Plaintiff’s right to exclude others from his computer;

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 19 of 20
20

c) By infringing on Plaintiff’s right to determine, as the owner of his computer, which 

programs should be installed and operated on his computer;

d) By compromising the integrity, security, and ownership of Plaintiff’s computer; and

e) By forcing Plaintiff to expend money, time, and resources in order to remove the 

programs that had been installed on his computer without notice or consent.

85. Defendant’s actions were taken knowingly, willfully, intentionally, and in reckless 

disregard for Plaintiff’s rights under the law.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands a judgment be entered against Defendant for all of 

Plaintiff’s compensatory damages, interest, costs, and such further relief as the Court deems just 

and equitable.

DATED: April 29th,2020 

RODERICK V. HANNAH, ESQ., P.A. LAW OFFICE OF PELAYO

Counsel for Plaintiff DURAN, P.A.

8751 W. Broward Blvd., Suite 303 Co-Counsel for Plaintiff

Plantation, FL 33324 4640 N.W. 7th Street

T. 954/362-3800 Miami, FL 33126-2309

954/362-3779 (Facsimile) T. 305/266-9780 

Email: rhannah@rhannahlaw.com 305/269-8311 (Facsimile)

Email: duranandassociates@gmail.com 

By____s/ Roderick V. Hannah __ By ___s/ Pelayo M. Duran ______

RODERICK V. HANNAH PELAYO M. DURAN

Fla. Bar No. 435384 Fla. Bar No. 0146595

Case 9:20-cv-80713-RS Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 04/29/2020 Page 20 of 20