JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Up to a dozen of the 40 businesses sued by Wanda Moore, a double amputee confined to a wheelchair, over violations of federal disability access rules, but the I-TEAM was told, those businesses aren't immune to other lawsuits.
Experts on the Americans with Disabilities Act law said that every business, large or small, needs to get in compliance. That's a good thing for disabled citizens, but comes with a cost.
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It doesn’t matter how old a building is, there is no grandfather rule in the law. Any business can be sued at any time for not being complaint with federal disability guidelines.
A state law that went into effect this month will shield a business from ADA lawsuits from litigious clients and attorneys -- like Moore and her attorney, Robert Gibson -- but only if the owner can prove the business was proactive in trying to comply with the rules.
Once a lawsuit is filed, its too late.
Experts suggest all businesses hire an ADA-compliance expert and start working on a plan for their facility before the being forced to pay money from a lawsuit.
To learn more about ADA compliance guidelines, visit these links:
ADA standards guidance
2010 ADA standards for accessible design
ADA information line