Most business owners are law-abiding citizens who pay taxes, follow legal guidelines and do what they can to create an environment that is safe and secure. Yet sometimes, government regulators and law makers can get carried away creating regulations and guidelines that cause more problems than they solve. One such example is ADA compliance regulations, including ADA signage, handicapped decals, braille signage and much more.

Making Money off Legal Loopholes: Businesses Fined for Missing Handicap Decals

KABC Los AngelesWhile the vast majority of small business owners want to do what they can to welcome disabled shoppers including those in a wheelchair, some now feel that ADA compliance regulators have gone too far. In California, a state with a reputation of a high number of frivolous lawsuits, small business owners can get a $4000 fine for failing to post proper ADA signs, tactile signs, handicap decals and more. According to KABC Los Angeles, these business owners feel they are being targeted by ethically questionable lawyers and plaintiffs who file frivolous lawsuits knowing the business will more than likely pay the fine than take the time to duke it out in court.

Beat the Lawyers at Their Own Game by Posting Proper ADA Signage

Unfortunately, mom-and-pop business owners have cause for concern. According to recent estimates, California accounts for 40 percent of the country’s ADA compliance lawsuits though only 11 percent of its residents are determined to be disabled. According to the California ADA Compliance, the state is conservatively estimated to have 20,000 ADA lawsuits since 1992 believing to cost business owners $20 million annually. It has become such a problem that a new law aimed at ADA litigation reform went into effect in January 2013 to try to minimalize such overreaching lawsuits. Only in California…

A small business owner’s best defense against these thoughtless lawsuits is to install proper ADA signs throughout their buildings, properties, and parking lots. Businesses may consider partnering with a Certified Access Specialist recognized by the State of California who can walk through their business and go over areas that may be lacking in ADA compliance. Getting the right braille signage, tactile signage, and ADA decals in place is the best deterrent to being hit with a hefty fine.