Enforcement Actions

Track Department of Justice enforcement actions, accessibility lawsuit trends, and significant settlements related to digital accessibility compliance.

8,800+

ADA Lawsuits (2024)

4,187

Digital Accessibility Cases

7%

Increase from 2023

$6M+

Largest Settlement

Recent DOJ Actions

2024

DOJ Final Rule: ADA Title II Web Accessibility

April 24, 2024 | Regulatory Action

Landmark rule establishing WCAG 2.1 Level AA as the technical standard for state and local government websites and mobile applications. Compliance deadlines: April 2026 (large entities) and April 2027 (smaller entities).

Learn More
Jan 2024

MedStar Health, Inc. - Healthcare Accessibility

January 30, 2024 | Complaint Filed

DOJ filed complaint against Maryland/DC healthcare provider for ADA violations related to accessible communication and digital services for patients with disabilities.

Pending
Jan 2024

Service Oklahoma - Mobile App Accessibility

January 22, 2024 | Settlement

State agency mobile app found inaccessible to vision-disabled users. Settlement requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for all digital services.

Resolved
Dec 2023

Kent Hospital (Warwick, RI) - Deaf Patient Communication

December 19, 2023 | Settlement

Hospital denied effective communication to deaf patient. Settlement includes $30,000 to complainant, $5,000 penalty, and new accessibility policies.

Resolved - $35,000
2024

Murfreesboro Restaurant - Disability Discrimination

2024 | Settlement

Restaurant discriminated against children with disabilities. Major settlement requiring comprehensive accessibility improvements.

Resolved - $352,000

Enforcement by Industry

Retail & E-commerce

30%

Leading target for accessibility lawsuits. Common issues include:

  • Missing alt text on product images
  • Inaccessible checkout processes
  • Non-compliant mobile apps
  • PDF accessibility issues

Food Service

20%

Restaurants and food delivery face increasing scrutiny:

  • Online ordering systems
  • Menu accessibility
  • Reservation platforms
  • Mobile ordering apps

Healthcare

15%

Critical accessibility requirements for:

  • Patient portals
  • Telehealth platforms
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Medical records access

Litigation Trends

2024 Key Developments

  • DOJ Title II Final Rule: First federal regulation establishing specific technical standards (WCAG 2.1 AA) for government websites
  • Continued Private Litigation: 8,800+ Title III lawsuits filed, with digital accessibility comprising nearly half
  • California Dominance: 37% increase in California filings, reaching 3,252 cases
  • Serial Plaintiff Activity: Top firms filing thousands of cases (e.g., So Cal Equal Access Group: 2,598 lawsuits)
  • Class Action Growth: Increased class certification for website accessibility cases
  • State Court Migration: Some plaintiffs moving cases from federal to state courts

Common Violations Cited

Violation WCAG Criterion Frequency
Missing image alt text 1.1.1 Non-text Content Very High
Inaccessible forms 1.3.1, 3.3.2 Very High
Keyboard navigation issues 2.1.1, 2.1.2 High
Color contrast failures 1.4.3 High
Missing video captions 1.2.2 Moderate

Typical Settlement Components

Financial
  • Compensatory damages: $5,000 - $100,000+
  • Statutory damages: Varies by state (CA: min $4,000)
  • Civil penalties: Up to $75,000 - $150,000
  • Attorney's fees: Often exceeds damages
Remediation
  • WCAG compliance: Full remediation to Level AA
  • Accessibility statement: Published commitment
  • Staff training: Developer and content creator education
  • Monitoring: Ongoing compliance audits (1-3 years)

Resources

DOJ ADA Cases Database DOJ Disability Rights Section Report an Accessibility Violation

Protect Your Organization

Don't wait for a lawsuit. Proactive compliance is significantly less expensive than litigation. Use our tools and resources to assess and improve your accessibility.

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