ADA Website Lawsuits: What You Need to Protect Yourself

The Rise of ADA Website Lawsuits

ADA website lawsuits have increased exponentially in recent years. In 2023 alone, over 4,000 federal lawsuits were filed related to website accessibility, along with countless demand letters.

Who's at Risk?

Any business with a public-facing website can be sued, but certain industries face higher risk:

• E-commerce and retail
• Restaurants and food services
• Healthcare providers
• Financial institutions
• Educational institutions

The Legal Standard

While the ADA doesn't explicitly mention websites, courts have consistently ruled that websites are "places of public accommodation" and must be accessible. WCAG 2.1 Level AA is widely recognized as the technical standard for compliance.

Costs of Non-Compliance

Beyond settlement costs (typically $10,000-$100,000), businesses face attorney fees, remediation costs, and reputational damage. Proactive accessibility audits are far more cost-effective than reactive litigation.

Protection Strategies

• Conduct regular accessibility audits
• Implement an accessibility policy
• Train your development team on accessibility
• Provide alternative ways to access information
• Respond promptly to accessibility complaints