Got an ADA Demand Letter?
First: Don't panic. I've seen hundreds of these. Let's walk through what this means and what to do next, calmly and logically.
How to Tell if the Letter is Legitimate
Most letters you receive from law firms are legitimate legal threats. They aren't scams in the traditional sense, even if they feel predatory. A legitimate letter will typically:
- Name a specific plaintiff (an individual with a disability).
- Cite specific accessibility issues found on your website (e.g., "missing alt text," "no keyboard navigation").
- Reference Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Come from a real law firm you can look up.
If you received an email from a company selling a quick-fix widget or scanner, that's likely a sales pitch, not a legal threat. A letter from a law firm, however, must be taken seriously.
What Are Your Actual Legal Obligations?
Under Title III of the ADA, your website is considered a "place of public accommodation." This means it must be accessible to people with disabilities. While the law doesn't provide a perfect checklist, courts and the Department of Justice consistently use the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA as the standard for compliance.
Your obligation is to make a good-faith effort to remove accessibility barriers from your site. This is called "remediation."
What Happens If You Ignore It?
Ignoring the letter is the worst thing you can do. It signals to the plaintiff's attorney that you aren't taking the issue seriously. This often leads them to file an official lawsuit, which dramatically increases the cost and complexity. Responding promptly—not by paying their demand, but by acknowledging the issue and starting to fix your website—is the most effective strategy.
Timeline for Response
Most demand letters give you a deadline, often 10-30 days, to respond. Your goal within this window is not necessarily to fix everything, but to have a clear plan of action. You should:
- Have your site professionally audited (a scan like mine is a great first step).
- Get a quote and timeline for remediation from a developer (like me).
- (Optional but recommended) Consult with an attorney who specializes in ADA defense to draft a response.
Your Options Moving Forward
Remediate the Website
This is the most important step. By hiring a developer (like me) to fix the issues, you address the root of the problem. This is your strongest defense and shows you're acting in good faith.
Settle with the Plaintiff
Often, fixing the site is paired with a settlement. Your lawyer can negotiate a much lower settlement amount once you can prove the site is being fixed.
Let Me Look at Your Specific Situation
If you want an expert opinion, book a free call. I'll look at your site, review the claims in your letter, and tell you honestly whether you need to panic or not. I can give you the technical assessment you need to make a smart decision.