On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a petition from Labcorp seeking to restrict the size of a class action lawsuit alleging the company discriminated against blind individuals using their self-service check-in kiosks. The decision, delivered in an unsigned opinion, was deemed improvidently granted, signaling the court’s unwillingness to limit the class size without a more thorough examination.
The class action, originally certified by a federal district court, represents upwards of 100,000 visually impaired Californians. The plaintiffs have accused Labcorp of violating both the Americans with Disabilities Act and California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act by failing to make their check-in kiosks accessible to those with visual impairments. For the full decision details, see the announcement by Bloomberg Law.
This ruling aligns with broader legal trends that emphasize inclusivity and accessibility requirements, reaffirming the need for businesses to accommodate individuals with disabilities. The implications of this decision may encourage other similarly situated parties to pursue legal action, potentially impacting corporate policies on a national scale.
The dismissal also underscores the judiciary’s cautious approach when considering interventions in ongoing litigation, particularly when significant civil rights implications are at stake. Legal professionals and entities are advised to closely monitor developments in this area, as the interplay between federal laws and state-specific rights continues to evolve in California and beyond.