What are an ADA drive-by lawsuits? Learn why grandfathering is no longer effective and how to avoid frivolous lawsuits.
Does the world seem to be getting more and more out of control? It seems that life here in the U.S. gets crazier by the day. Is this a sign of desperate times or an overly-litigious society? Or is it about people looking to make a fast buck? Just think about the frivolous lawsuits we read about every day. Here’s a few by the Huffington Post:
- “Man Sues Parents For Lack Of Love”
- “Is The MET Tricking Visitors Into Paying For Admission?”
FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY
If I’d ever thought about filing the first one, my Mother would have shown me what a ‘lack-of-love’ is really all about Lol!! If this doesn’t resonate with you, then it’s because you either don’t watch the news or don’t live in the U.S. But wait…it doesn’t stop there. Speaking of unthinkable lawsuits, many hotel, restaurant and bar owners are constantly being attacked over ‘slip-and-fall’ accidents. It doesn’t stop there. Apparently, some people go to the local bar to pad their bank accounts. Clients tell me stories like these all the time. Here’s the latest fad: “Drive-by ADA lawsuits.” I was recently made aware of this by a very close friend and client. When I heard that story I felt as though I’d been sucker-punched. I can hardly imagine how he feels.
DRIVE-BY ADA LAWSUITS AND ‘FREQUENT FLIERS’: WHAT NIGHTCLUB OWNERS NEED TO KNOW
The term “Drive-By ADA Lawsuit” refers to people who merely drive-by various establishments, in search of ADA violations. Some attorneys have websites that recruit people with disabilities for the sole purpose of filing drive-by lawsuits. Potential clients earn up to $4,000 each time they aren’t able to use something at a business because of their disability! Some have become ‘frequent filers’. These are disabled people who make significant money by filing multiple ADA claims with the help of unscrupulous lawyers. The respective business owner must pay not only the fines, but the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees (as well as their own) and all necessary building alterations.
WHY GRANDFATHERING IS NO LONGER AN OWNER’S SECURITY BLANKET
If you own a hotel, restaurant or bar, you’re probably familiar with the term ‘grandfathering.’ Traditionally, a business owner is ‘grandfathered’ (exempted) from compliancy with local building and zoning codes enacted after a given building was constructed. Included in this exemption is compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, commonly known as ‘ADA.’ ADA was legislated to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.
Under ‘Title III’ of ADA, no individual may be discriminated against using a public accommodation (inns, hotels, recreation, transportation, etc.) on the basis of that individual’s disability.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
According to Hank Falstad, AIA, “ADA is federal statute and therefore supersedes all other building codes.”
MUNICIPALITIES ARE UNDER PRESSURE
Municipalities everywhere have the burden of upgrading existing buildings to ADA standards. This applies to buildings constructed prior to 1990. Traditionally, the grandfathering standard included ADA. I support ADA. I’ve always felt that grandfathering was a good and fair concept. Most drive-by lawsuits are filed against ‘mom-and-pop’ business owners. These are people who often times do not have the wherewithal to make the necessary improvements.
RELATED DOWNLOAD:
ADA Guidelines for Small Business Owners
CALIFORNIA IS “GROUND ZERO” OF DRIVE-BY ADA LAWSUITS
Drive-by stories have been around since 1990. California is “ground zero” to the epidemic that has become drive-by ADA lawsuits. According to a story published in ‘Paralyzed Veterans of America,’:
- “In late September 2012, California Governor Jerry Brown signed state Senate Bill 1186. This placed restrictions on remedies available under ADA lawsuits in California.
- California had previously passed a law that made every ADA violation worth $4000, plus attorney’s fees.
- Nowadays, more “drive-by” lawsuits have happened in California than any other state – more than 40% of all ADA lawsuits nationally.”
BEWARE
Businesses across the country have been slapped with thousands of drive-by lawsuits in recent years. The ADA does not currently require that individuals give the businesses notice of the alleged ADA violations before filing suit. Therefore, these lawsuits are often unexpected.
LAWYERS WHO ILLEGALLY RECRUIT PLAINTIFFS
In the April 25, 2012 edition of the “ROHO” blog postby Bob Vogel, ‘ROHO Blog Post ADA Drive-By Lawsuits,’ (download below):
“A handful of lawyers and people with disabilities are using the well-intentioned ADA accessibility laws.
In California and Florida, lawyers rake in huge amounts of cash by filing hundreds. In some cases, thousands of ADA-access lawsuits.
For these states it is not uncommon to read about a single person filing more than two dozen ADA-access lawsuits a week.”
BAR OWNERS ARE EASY-PICKINGS
Extreme profitability is why ADA lawsuits against hospitality owners are exploited. Consider the following:
- “There are non-disabled lawyers that see the dollar signs in this area. They recruit people with disabilities to file ADA lawsuits…
- A website for one such attorney reads “Confined to a wheelchair in California? You may be entitled to $4,000 each time you can’t use something at a business because of your disability.”
- One such example the site provides is a restroom mirror installed too high. The site says, “You may be entitled to $4,000!”
- The way the law is currently written is vicious. Even if a business fixes the violation right away, the person filing the suit has already been harmed by the violation. Therefore, they can still sue and no warning is required.”
For bar owners trying to avoid an ADA lawsuit:
- Provide exterior improvements, such as parking lot striping
- Accessible entryways and ramps
- Accessible restrooms and associated signage
- Built-in ADA accommodations at the bar (refer to the photo, above right)
- ADA tables
BAR DESIGN TIP:
When it comes to ADA compliance, become proactive. Although many bar owners would have a multitude of projects, the goal is to establish a priority list and begin whittling it. Most judges would be lenient towards those who have a program.
PROPOSED LEGISLATION
In the April 30, 2012 edition of the “California Lawyer,”’ ‘Targeting ADA Violators,’ (download below), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), wants to stop “drive-by” lawsuits against business owners:
“Last year, a bill that would give business owners 120 days to fix violations from the time a demand letter was received was voted down. Senate GOP leader Bob Dutton is pushing for a similar bill, reducing the time allowed to 90 days.”
HOW CAN OWNERS PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST ADA DRIVE-BY LAWSUITS?
Where is the sanity in all of this? Better yet, where is the fairness? Please don’t become a victim of a senseless drive-by ADA lawsuit.
Downloadables:
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
ROHO Blog Post ADA Drive-By Lawsuits
Targeting ADA Violators
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