See If Your Website Meets ADA Standards – Free Audit
DOJ Lawsuits for Website ADA Non-Compliance – Fines, Settlements & Cases
Ensure your website is ADA compliant to avoid costly DOJ lawsuits and settlements. Non-compliance exposes your business to fines, class actions, and reputational damage. This page highlights real-world cases, fines, and lessons for businesses.
Why the DOJ Enforces Website ADA Compliance
The DOJ enforces ADA rules to ensure:
- Equal access for all users, including those with disabilities.
- Businesses avoid discrimination through inaccessible websites.
- Companies meet legal and ethical responsibilities online.
Tip: Non-compliant websites are a legal risk and can result in fines or court-ordered remediation.
Notable DOJ ADA Website Lawsuits
<details> <summary>Click to view major DOJ ADA cases and settlements</summary>
| Company | Year | Issue | Settlement / Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target Corporation | 2006 | Website inaccessible to blind users | $6M settlement + WCAG compliance |
| Netflix | 2012 | Streaming content lacked closed captions | Multi-million-dollar settlement + full captioning |
| Bank of America | 2014 | Online banking inaccessible | Plaintiff compensation + WCAG 2.0 compliance |
| Nike | 2017 | Online store inaccessible | Multi-million-dollar settlement + accessibility monitoring |
| Amazon | 2017 | Website inaccessible to screen readers | Multi-million-dollar settlement + mandatory remediation |
| Winn-Dixie | 2017–2021 | Prescription ordering site inaccessible | Court-ordered compliance + fines (undisclosed) |
| H&R Block | 2014 | Website and app inaccessible | $100,000 civil penalty + WCAG compliance |
| Peapod | 2014 | Grocery delivery website inaccessible | Redesign + WCAG 2.0 AA compliance |
Key Takeaway: These settlements show that no company is immune. ADA compliance is critical.
Potential Fines & Penalties
Interactive chart idea: a bar chart showing fines by type.
| Penalty Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Civil Penalties | $75,000 (first violation), $150,000 (repeat) |
| Class Action Settlements | $2M – $6M+ |
| Remediation Costs | $50,000 – $500,000+ |
| Attorney Fees & Legal Costs | Varies by case |
| Reputational & Lost Revenue | Significant potential losses |
Industries Most Targeted
<details> <summary>Click to see which industries face the highest DOJ enforcement</summary>
- E-Commerce & Retail: Inaccessible online stores and checkout flows
- Financial Services: Online banking and payment platforms
- Healthcare: Hospital portals, prescription ordering, telemedicine
- Hospitality: Travel booking, hotel reservation websites
- Education: Universities, online courses, LMS platforms
How to Protect Your Business from DOJ ADA Lawsuits
- Run a Free ADA Website Audit – Identify accessibility issues before lawsuits arise.
- Follow WCAG Guidelines – Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 / 2.2 AA standards.
- Regular Monitoring – Continuous accessibility audits prevent new violations.
- Educate Your Team – Developers, content creators, and designers must understand accessibility best practices.
- Document Compliance Efforts – Maintain audit reports, fixes, and remediation logs to demonstrate good faith.
Learn more: ADA Lawsuits & Fines | Class Action Lawsuits
Benefits of ADA Compliance
- Avoid DOJ lawsuits and class action settlements
- Improve SEO and organic search performance
- Enhance user experience for all visitors
- Demonstrate commitment to inclusivity and accessibility
Start Your Free ADA Website Audit Today
Identify accessibility issues and protect your business from fines.
👉 Run Your Free ADA Website Audit
FAQ – DOJ ADA Website Lawsuits
Q1: What is a DOJ ADA website lawsuit?
A: It is legal action taken against companies whose websites fail to meet ADA accessibility standards.
Q2: How much can a company be fined for non-compliance?
A: Civil penalties can start at $75,000 for a first violation, with settlements ranging into the millions.
Q3: Which websites are most at risk?
A: E-commerce, banking, healthcare, hospitality, and education sites are frequently targeted.
Q4: How can I avoid DOJ lawsuits?
A: Regular ADA audits, WCAG compliance, and continuous accessibility monitoring are essential. Ensure your website is fully ADA compliant and protect your business from lawsuits and fines. Our free ADA website audit scans your site for accessibility issues, evaluates WCAG 2.1 / 2.2 compliance, and provides actionable recommendations to improve website accessibility.
Why Run an ADA Website Audit?:
- Prevent costly lawsuits and fines: ADA non-compliance can lead to penalties from $75,000 to $6 million+.
- Improve usability: Accessible websites provide a better experience for all users, including those with disabilities.
- Boost SEO rankings: Google favors accessible websites in search results, improving organic traffic.
- Demonstrate inclusivity: Show your commitment to ADA compliance and equal access for everyone.
Learn more about ADA Class Action Lawsuits and legal risks for websites.
What Our Free ADA Audit Includes
Our audit evaluates critical accessibility areas to ensure your site meets ADA and WCAG standards:
- WCAG Compliance Check: Detects accessibility issues based on WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA standards.
- Screen Reader Compatibility: Ensures content is usable for visually impaired users.
- Keyboard Navigation Analysis: Confirms menus, buttons, and forms are fully operable with keyboard-only navigation.
- Image Alt Text Evaluation: Identifies missing or inadequate alt text.
- Video & Multimedia Accessibility: Checks captions and transcripts for all media.
- Color Contrast & Readability: Ensures text is readable for users with visual impairments.
Sample Audit Findings
| Category | Issue | Severity | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Images | Missing Alt Text | High | Add descriptive alt text for all images. |
| Color Contrast | Insufficient Contrast | Medium | Adjust text and background colors to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards. |
| Navigation | Keyboard Accessibility | High | Ensure menus and forms are fully keyboard operable. |
| Forms | Missing Labels | Medium | Add accessible labels for all form inputs. |
| Multimedia | Missing Captions | High | Add captions and transcripts for videos. |
| Headings | Improper Structure | Medium | Use proper H1 → H2 → H3 hierarchy. |
Risk Assessment & ADA Fines
- High Risk: Missing alt text, inaccessible forms, or missing captions → may trigger ADA lawsuits or DOJ enforcement.
- Medium Risk: Poor color contrast or non-descriptive link text → affects usability and partial compliance.
- Low Risk: Improper heading hierarchy → impacts screen reader navigation and SEO.
Potential fines and costs for non-compliance:
- Civil Penalties: $75,000 for first violation / $150,000 for repeat violations
- Class Action Settlements: $2M – $6M+
- Remediation Costs: $50,000 – $500,000+
For real examples, see ADA Lawsuits & Fines.
Benefits of Running an ADA Website Audit
- Reduce the risk of lawsuits and penalties
- Improve SEO and search engine visibility
- Enhance user experience for all visitors
- Maintain legal compliance and protect your brand reputation
Start Your Free ADA Website Audit Today
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Identify and fix accessibility issues now to protect your business.
👉 Run Your Free ADA Website Audit
FAQ – ADA Website Audit
Q1: What is an ADA website audit?
A: It’s a comprehensive review of your website for accessibility issues, ensuring compliance with ADA and WCAG standards.
Q2: How long does the free ADA audit take?
A: Our automated tool provides results within minutes, highlighting issues and actionable recommendations.
Q3: Who should perform an ADA website audit?
A: Any business with a website, especially e-commerce, healthcare, financial services, and educational sites.
Q4: What happens if my website is non-compliant?
A: You risk lawsuits, DOJ fines, reputational damage, and lost customers.
- H1/H2/H3 headings with primary and secondary keywords
- Tables highlighting accessibility issues and penalties
- Internal links to lawsuits, WCAG guidelines, and legal risk pages
- FAQ schema-ready content for rich search snippets
- Multiple CTAs encouraging users to run the free audit
- Keyword-rich copy optimized for search intent