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California ADA Lawsuits

California Website Accessibility Lawsuits

Comprehensive data on ADA website lawsuits filed in California, including statistics, trends, targeted industries, and actionable steps to protect your business from litigation.

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.

2024

State court ruled that website-only businesses are covered under California's Unruh Act

Thurston v. Midvale Indemnity Co.

2023

Insurance company site found inaccessible; court awarded damages under Unruh Act

Robles v. Domino's Pizza

2019

Ninth 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

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