A recent legal complaint asserts that a major online retailer’s website denies equal access to blind and visually impaired individuals, raising questions about compliance with federal disability laws. The lawsuit was filed by Livingston Bennett on March 27, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against HICC, Inc., a company offering pet care products through its website hiccpet.com.
According to the complaint, Bennett brings this action on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, alleging that HICC Inc.’s website is not fully accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. Bennett claims that he requires screen-reading software to access digital content but encountered significant barriers when attempting to use the defendant’s online store. The suit states that these barriers prevent blind and visually impaired users from independently browsing or completing transactions on the site.
The document outlines several key issues regarding web accessibility. It reports that while sighted customers can browse and purchase goods without assistance, those who rely on screen readers face obstacles such as missing alternative text for images, ambiguous link texts, inaccessible contact information, unclear labels for interactive elements, and forms that cannot be completed using only a keyboard. Specific problems identified include product images lacking descriptive text, repetitive or redundant links confusing screen readers, and navigation menus failing to announce their state—such as whether they are expanded or collapsed—to assistive technology users.
Bennett describes his personal experience trying to buy pet hygiene solutions from hiccpet.com on December 15, 2025. He reports being unable to complete his intended purchase due to these accessibility issues: “Plaintiff did not receive any description of the non-text content,” “Plaintiff could not access its main regions because of landmark inaccurate markup,” and “Plaintiff was forced to repeatedly tab through elements with the same destination.” According to the filing, these design flaws made it impossible for him—and other visually impaired individuals—to independently shop on the site.
The complaint argues that such barriers violate Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability in places of public accommodation. It references guidance from the United States Department of Justice stating that ADA requirements apply to goods and services offered by public accommodations online. The filing also cites established standards like version 2.2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as benchmarks for making websites usable by people with disabilities.
Bennett seeks certification of a nationwide class consisting of all legally blind individuals in the United States who have attempted to access hiccpet.com and were denied full enjoyment of its goods and services during the relevant statutory period. He requests both preliminary and permanent injunctions requiring HICC Inc. to bring its website into compliance with ADA standards so it becomes accessible for visually impaired users. Additionally, he asks for compensatory damages for those subjected to what he calls unlawful discrimination.
The lawsuit details claims under two causes of action: violation of the ADA and declaratory relief regarding whether HICC Inc.’s practices comply with federal law. It asks for class certification under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(a) & (b)(2) or (b)(3), appointment of Bennett as class representative, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, pre- and post-judgment interest, as well as any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Legal representation for Bennett is provided by Alison Chan at Equal Access Law Group PLLC in Brooklyn, New York. The case is identified as Case No.: 1:26-cv-3380.
Source: 126cv03380_Livingston_Bennett_v_HiccComplaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf