California ADA Lawsuit Statistics (2024)
Total Cases Filed
485
in 2024
Federal Filings
3
1% of total
Year-over-Year Trend
→ 6.7%
vs. 520 in 2023
California saw 485 ADA website accessibility lawsuits in 2024, representing a decrease of 6.7% compared to the previous year. This trend reflects stable enforcement patterns in the digital accessibility landscape.
Industries Most Targeted in California
Based on 2024 filing data, these industries face the highest litigation risk in California:
- Lifestyle, Fashion & Apparel (33% of cases)
- Technology & SaaS (19% of cases)
- Restaurant, Food & Beverages (16% of cases)
- Health & Beauty (11% of cases)
- Financial Services (9% of cases)
If your business operates in one of these sectors, prioritize a comprehensive accessibility audit and remediation plan to reduce legal exposure.
California-Specific ADA Regulations & Legal Landscape
- Unruh Civil Rights Act provides state-level enforcement
- California residents can sue for minimum $4,000 statutory damages per violation
- AB 434 requires businesses to post accessibility statements
- Strong plaintiff bar with expertise in digital accessibility
Understanding California's unique legal environment helps businesses assess risk and develop appropriate compliance strategies.
Notable California ADA Website Cases
Martinez v. Cot'n Wash Inc.
2024State court ruled that website-only businesses are covered under California's Unruh Act
Thurston v. Midvale Indemnity Co.
2023Insurance company site found inaccessible; court awarded damages under Unruh Act
Robles v. Domino's Pizza
2019Ninth Circuit landmark ruling that ADA applies to websites and mobile apps
These cases demonstrate the legal standards and expectations for website accessibility in California courts.
How to Protect Your California Business
Take these proactive steps to reduce your risk of ADA website litigation in California:
- Perform comprehensive WCAG 2.1 AA compliance audit
- Post accessibility statement with remediation timeline
- Implement automated and manual testing protocols
- Create feedback mechanism for accessibility issues
- Document accessibility efforts and policies
- Partner with accessibility experts for ongoing compliance
California ADA Website Compliance Checklist
Ensure your website meets these essential WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements to minimize ADA lawsuit risk:
- Website meets WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements
- Accessibility statement posted and up-to-date
- Alternative text provided for all images
- Form labels are visible and properly associated
- Color contrast ratios meet minimum standards
- Keyboard navigation works across entire site
- Screen reader testing completed on key flows
- Focus indicators are visible on all interactive elements
- Multimedia content includes captions and transcripts
- Accessibility feedback mechanism is in place
Industry-Specific Guidance
Get tailored compliance guidance for your industry:
Understanding WCAG Requirements
Learn about the specific WCAG success criteria that courts reference in ADA cases:
Other State Lawsuit Data
New York
1600 cases in 2024
Florida
629 cases in 2024
Pennsylvania
121 cases in 2024
Illinois
199 cases in 2024
Texas
245 cases in 2024
Georgia
134 cases in 2024
New Jersey
118 cases in 2024
Ohio
98 cases in 2024
North Carolina
87 cases in 2024
Michigan
79 cases in 2024
Virginia
89 cases in 2024
Washington
76 cases in 2024
Massachusetts
104 cases in 2024
Arizona
67 cases in 2024
Colorado
58 cases in 2024
Tennessee
52 cases in 2024
Maryland
68 cases in 2024
Minnesota
54 cases in 2024
Indiana
47 cases in 2024
Wisconsin
42 cases in 2024
Connecticut
49 cases in 2024
Oregon
41 cases in 2024
Nevada
48 cases in 2024
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