--- title: A Recap of 2018 ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuits and Primer on How to Avoid Them description: Learn which industries were targeted most in 2018 by web accessibility-related suits, and how prioritizing digital accessibility can help avoid litigation. image: https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-957011890.jpg --- - [skip to menu](https://blog.usablenet.com/a-recap-of-2018-ada-web-accessibility-lawsuits-and-primer-on-how-to-avoid-them#nav) - [skip to content](https://blog.usablenet.com/a-recap-of-2018-ada-web-accessibility-lawsuits-and-primer-on-how-to-avoid-them#main-content) - [skip to footer](https://blog.usablenet.com/a-recap-of-2018-ada-web-accessibility-lawsuits-and-primer-on-how-to-avoid-them#footer) Test the accessibility of your website for free! Try UsableNet AQA. [Test now!](https://usablenet.com/automated-accessibility-testing-tool) Close [![UsableNet home](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/logo.png?width=429&height=62&name=logo.png)](https://usablenet.com/) - [Solutions](https://usablenet.com) ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Explore which of our digital accessibility solutions is right for you [Watch a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/choose-a-demo?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1737658630173.1737669055746.199&__hssc=181257784.7.1737669055746&__hsfp=3011104808) - [Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Resources - [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) - [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) - [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) - [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) - [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) - [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-1.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-1.png) [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-2.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-2.png) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/resources-3.png?width=100&height=100&name=resources-3.png) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ADA%20Primer.png?width=100&height=100&name=ADA%20Primer.png) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) - [Who We Serve](https://usablenet.com/strategic-relationships) ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/e-commerce-accessibility-solutions) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) Close Open Menu - Solutions ## Solutions [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) A managed service combining experts, technology and legal support to make your website accessible [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) Accessibility management and testing software for designers, developers, and testers [Accessibility Audits & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) Expert guidance and training to empower your team to create accessible digital experiences Which accessibility remediation approach is right for me? [Take our Quiz](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz) - Resources ## Resources [E-books & Guides](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) [Tools](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Tools) [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources) ## Essential Resources [ADA accessibility lawsuit tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Checklist: how to achieve and maintain digital accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/digital-website-accessibility-checklist?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [Which remediation approach is right for me?](https://info.usablenet.com/website-accessibility-remediation-quiz?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) [A Primer on ADA and Digital Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/a-primer-on-ada-and-digital-accessibility?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) The EAA is in Effect — Is Your Website Compliant? [Get Help with EN 301 549 Compliance](https://info.usablenet.com/eaa-en-301-549-compliance?__hstc=181257784.2243d86205d8f41e204908d6f6578263.1725908600455.1736198093211.1736205902814.174&__hssc=181257784.1.1736205902814&__hsfp=3011104808) - Who We Serve ## Industry [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) ## Compliance [Canadian Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-canada) [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) [Other International Accessibility](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-international) [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) 2026 Midyear report on digital accessibility lawsuits in the US [Download Now](https://info.usablenet.com/2026-midyear-report) - [Pricing](https://usablenet.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) [Get a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/contact) # A Recap of 2018 ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuits and Primer on How to Avoid Them **By** [UsableNet](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/usablenet-1) on Mar 13, 2019 **Topics:** [Web Accessibility](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) 0 Comments - - - ![Gavel striking laptop keyboard](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-957011890.jpg) UsableNet’s research team [tracked](https://blog.usablenet.com/2018-ada-web-accessibility-lawsuit-recap-report) all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) web accessibility-related lawsuits throughout 2018. The year saw a continued increase in the number of suits, which affected companies of all sizes in a wide range of industries across the globe. There are two main reasons for the seemingly unending barrage of legal actions: - Insufficient progress toward accessibility by industry, even as the disability community increasingly relies on the web for daily transactions - Unclear government guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration, which means companies that are already working on the problem may become targets “Litigation thrives in the presence of uncertainty because uncertain outcomes increase risk and settlement value,” says Richard M. Hunt of Hunt Huey PLLC. “Since there is no prospect of regulatory certainty in the next several years the number of cases is only likely to increase.” ## **An Explosion of Lawsuits**   ADA web accessibility lawsuits hit a [record high in 2018](https://www.wsj.com/articles/lawsuits-surge-over-websites-access-for-the-blind-11550415600) with 2,285 cases, a 181 percent increase over the 814 cases filed in 2017. The vast majority of suits—96 percent—were brought in New York and Florida. [New York led the pack](https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2019/01/17/ada-website-accessibility-suits-flood-new-yorks-federal-courts-report-says/) with 1,471 suits, 64 percent of the total, with 123 cases filed per month. Florida was a close second with 726 suits, or 32 percent, and 61 cases per month. A mere 4 percent of all suits came outside of these two states. These statistics indicate less about where the targeted companies are based and more about the location of the plaintiffs and their attorneys. If an organization conducts business in either of these states, they are open to legal action. The companies sued in these jurisdictions are distributed across the U.S., and 11 percent are based overseas in such far-flung countries as France, Italy, Japan, and Brazil. [![Is your website WCAG 2.0 or 2.1 compliant? Test your website with AQA >>](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/cdd6af08-9cc0-42d1-9167-b4fce4519895.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/cdd6af08-9cc0-42d1-9167-b4fce4519895) ## **Retail, Food Service, Travel Lead the Pack**   Of the 16 industries listed in the report, the spotlight shined harshest on six, continuing a pattern seen in 2017: - Retail (38 percent): ADA requirements in physical stores are, by and large, easy to understand, but [the standards are less clear](https://nrf.com/blog/ada-website-lawsuits-growing-problem-retailers) when it comes to online shopping. - Food service (11 percent): While many restaurant websites provide only information (hours, location, menu), those that offer transactions, such as online ordering, [have struggled to conform](https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/legal/are-your-digital-services-ada-compliant) to WCAG guidelines. An [important legal precedent](https://www.fastcompany.com/90293399/ninth-circuit-court-dominos-pizza-website-is-bound-by-ada) in this industry recently came down from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that pizza giant Domino's website must comply with the ADA, after a blind customer filed suit in 2016. - Travel/hospitality (10 percent): Major industry players, such as Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking.com, [have taken major steps](https://skift.com/2018/07/06/online-travel-players-boost-accessibility-for-travelers-with-disabilities/) toward integrating accessibility into their platforms. - Banking/financial (7 percent): Despite [a 2017 declaration](https://bankingjournal.aba.com/2016/12/compliance-issues-to-watch-in-2017/) by the American Bankers Association that web accessibility was a “compliance issue to watch,” websites within the industry continue to struggle with implementation. There are a handful of notable exceptions, such as the [Royal Bank of Canada](http://www.rbc.com/accessibility/websites.html). - Entertainment/leisure (7 percent). Industry giants like [AMC](https://www.amctheatres.com/assistive-moviegoing) and [Netflix](https://www.adatitleiii.com/2016/04/netflix-agrees-to-add-audio-description-to-many-of-its-shows-and-dvd-rentals/) have stepped forward as accessibility leaders. - Self-service (4 percent). Whether in healthcare, government, or just your local ATM, self-service kiosks [are gradually catching up](https://www.lflegal.com/2018/01/kiosks18/) with the accessibility movement. For more on these industry trends, [listen to UsableNet’s webinar](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-lawsuit-webinar-on-demand-feb-2019) *ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuit Trends for 2019*. ## **Lawyers Benefit on Both Sides**   Although these lawsuits involve companies from across the country, the majority are handled by only a handful of law firms. Of the 600 firms involved in these cases, one-third of all defendants and three-quarters of plaintiffs are each represented by 10 firms, respectively. This will likely lead to a uniformity of settlements, as the same firms will meet one another regularly in court, with a set handful of judges hearing the cases. ## **Act Now, Avoid Legal Action Later**   It sounds simplistic, but the best defense against a web accessibility lawsuit is to create an accessible site. “Although regulatory uncertainty means the number of lawsuits will continue to rise,” says Richard M. Hunt, “a proactive effort to achieve real accessibility for disabled users remains the best way to avoid or defend website accessibility lawsuits.” Evaluate your current level of accessibility, make a plan to conform to WCAG guidelines that includes user testing, and make sure you [communicate and document your efforts](https://blog.usablenet.com/when-and-how-to-write-an-accessibility-statement-and-policy-blog). It’s never too early to [start](https://usablenet.com/). [![Is your website WCAG 2.0 or 2.1 compliant? Test your website with AQA.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280432/ee40975a-0720-44e1-bdae-89cd273f6e2a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280432/ee40975a-0720-44e1-bdae-89cd273f6e2a) ![UsableNet](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/UsableNet%20Logo%20150%20x%20150.png) ### [UsableNet](https://blog.usablenet.com/author/usablenet-1) Founded in 2000, UsableNet created some of the first tools and platforms to make websites accessible and usable for all people. Starting out, we worked with government agencies as well as universities and corporations. Today, accessibility has become important to almost all companies. We provide accessibility solutions to Fortune 1000 companies, small and medium enterprises, government, and education organizations across industries including retail, travel, hospitality, food services, automotive, financial services, and healthcare. - - - - ### Related posts ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ![The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/The%20Low-Cost%20Moves%20That%20Strengthen%20an%20ADA%20Website%20Defense.png) [The Low-Cost Moves That Strengthen an ADA Website Defense](https://blog.usablenet.com/the-low-cost-moves-that-strengthen-an-ada-website-defense) Jun 16, 2026 ### Sign Up for the UsableNet Blog ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Check-in, Messaging, and In-Stay Barriers for Blind Guests](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-check-in-and-in-stay-barriers-for-blind-guests) Jul 15, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Beachside-min.jpg) [Hotel Website Accessibility: Browsing Room Options](https://blog.usablenet.com/hotel-website-accessibility-browsing-room-options) Jul 14, 2026 ![feature image](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Registration%20-%20Midyear%20Report.png) [Inside the 2026 Midyear Numbers: The ADA continues to be the ONLY true enforcement around](https://blog.usablenet.com/inside-the-2026-midyear-numbers-where-digital-accessibility-litigation-is-going) Jul 8, 2026 ### Posts by Topic - [Web Accessibility (311)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/web-accessibility) - [User Experience (113)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/user-experience) - [ADA Lawsuits (45)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-lawsuits) - [ADA Website Compliance (38)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/ada-website-compliance) - [European Accessibility Act (34)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/european-accessibility-act) - [Mobile Web (30)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-web) - [Mobile Apps (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/mobile-apps) - [Retail (27)](https://blog.usablenet.com/topic/retail) ![](https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/Consultation%20Icon.svg) Need to improve digital usability, accessibility or performance? We can help. [Partner with us. Get in touch..](https://usablenet.com/getintouch?hsCtaTracking=34f54ed4-8696-43c9-b740-a3982b4b5d91%7Cf4246c48-bf25-487f-9058-34abb838058e) ## Page Footer ### Have a question? **Contact Us** [Book a Consultation](https://calendly.com/usablenet-accessibility/introduction?month=2025-02) [Watch a Demo](https://info.usablenet.com/choose-a-demo) ### Solutions - [UsableNet Assistive](https://usablenet.com/technology/assistive-technology-services) - [UsableNet AQA](https://usablenet.com/technology/aqa) - [Accessibility Audit & Support Services](https://usablenet.com/services) - [Pricing and Plans](https://usablenet.com/pricing) ### Resource Library - [Blog](https://blog.usablenet.com/) - [E-Books](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=E-books%20and%20Guides) - [Case Studies](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Case%20Studies) - [Reports](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Reports) - [Test your website for accessibility](https://usablenet.com/automated-accessibility-testing-tool) - [ADA Monthly Lawsuit Tracker](https://info.usablenet.com/ada-website-compliance-lawsuit-tracker) - [Webinars](https://usablenet.com/resources?contentType=Webinars) - [All Resources](https://usablenet.com/resources?all=true) ### Who We Serve - [Public Sector and Education](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-public-sector-and-education) - [Banking and Financial Services](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-financial-services) - [E-commerce and Consumer Goods](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-e-commerce-consumer-goods) - [Food Service and Hospitality](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-food-service-hospitality) - [Healthcare](https://info.usablenet.com/industries-healthcare) - [Technology and Business Services](https://info.usablenet.com/-industries-technology-and-business-services) ### Compliance - [European Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-europe) - [United States Accessibility Laws](https://info.usablenet.com/compliance-united-states) ### Company - [About Us](https://usablenet.com/about-us) - [LLM Resources](https://usablenet.com/for-ai-assistants) [Accessibility Support](https://blog.usablenet.com/support)| [Privacy Policy](https://blog.usablenet.com/privacy)| [Accessibility Statement](https://blog.usablenet.com/accessibility-statement)| [Diversity and Inclusion Statement](https://blog.usablenet.com/diversity-and-inclusion)| Accessibility Status | [Technology Patents](https://blog.usablenet.com/technology/patent) ## **Sign Up** for the **UsableNet Blog** Join our mailing list to receive email notifications when we publish a new blog, infographic, whitepaper or newsletter. Stay up-to-date on our insights, the latest tech news and digital trends. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ![International Association of Accessibility Professionals logo](https://blog.usablenet.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SaaS%20Theme/2023%20Header%20and%20Footer/IAAP-logo.png?width=150&height=81&name=IAAP-logo.png) © 2026 UsableNet Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "UsableNet", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/author/usablenet-1" }, "dateModified" : "2020-04-29T23:48:14.836Z", "datePublished" : "2019-03-13T15:33:06.000Z", "headline" : "A Recap of 2018 ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuits and Primer on How to Avoid Them", "image" : [ "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/GettyImages-957011890.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/a-recap-of-2018-ada-web-accessibility-lawsuits-and-primer-on-how-to-avoid-them", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.usablenet.com/hubfs/UsableNet%20Logo_Black.png" }, "name" : "UsableNet Inc." } } ```