Across the United States, small businesses have increasingly become the targets of serial ADA website lawsuits.
These lawsuits are often filed by the same few law firms and individuals who use identical complaint templates to allege that business websites fail to meet accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Most of the businesses targeted — such as local restaurants, salons, and family-run stores — had no prior knowledge that their websites could be legally challenged.
In 2024 alone, over 4,000 web-accessibility lawsuits were filed, with the majority aimed at small, locally owned businesses using common website builders like Squarespace, Shopify, and Wix.
Many of these cases are not the result of a genuine customer complaint but part of a systematic effort by certain law firms to file as many lawsuits as possible for quick settlements.
These firms target small businesses because they are least equipped to fight back — and most likely to settle quickly to avoid legal costs.
The lawsuits typically cite minor accessibility issues such as missing image descriptions, unlabeled form fields, or insufficient color contrast.
Even businesses that fix their websites after a first claim can be sued again later by a different firm — creating a sense of ongoing vulnerability and fear.
The cost of a digital-accessibility lawsuit can vary, but for small businesses it is almost always damaging.
Average Settlement: $5,000–$20,000
Average Legal Fees (if defended): $10,000–$15,000
Total Potential Cost per Incident: $15,000–$35,000
Some businesses have faced multiple lawsuits within a single year, each costing thousands of dollars and valuable time.
Beyond financial impact, many owners report constant anxiety, fearing the next demand letter even after their site has been updated.
Businesses that are WBAG Certified through DAPEN.org never have to experience that fear.
1. Proven Legal Defense
DAPEN.org partners with world-class legal teams who have successfully defended clients against every type of ADA website claim.
These attorneys understand the tactics used by serial filers and know how to shut them down before a case ever escalates.
Law firms quickly recognize when a website is WBAG Certified — and they tend to move on rather than waste time pursuing a claim that won’t succeed.
2. Complete Coverage — With No Limits
If a lawsuit is filed against a WBAG Certified website, DAPEN.org immediately steps in to handle it.
All legal responses, defense costs, and settlements are fully covered under the certification agreement.
Even if a business is targeted multiple times, there is no limit to the number of claims DAPEN.org will defend.
Every future case receives the same full protection and legal support, at no extra cost.
3. Lasting Protection
With WBAG Certification, accessibility compliance is continuously maintained and verified.
That means the business will never face a repeat offense for the same issues — and even if new legal challenges arise, they remain completely covered.
4. Confidence Instead of Fear
For small business owners, WBAG Certification replaces the uncertainty of “What if I get sued again?” with the assurance that they’ll never face another accessibility claim alone.
