California ADA Website Compliance Guide

🚨 CALIFORNIA: LITIGATION EXPLOSION 2024-2025

3,252 ADA lawsuits filed in CA in 2024 (37% increase from 2023). While federal website-only cases decreased, government entities under Title II face unprecedented enforcement pressure.

💰 Record Settlements: First $6.2M class action approved in 2025 (subject to court approval). Settlement amounts range $5,000-$20,000 for most cases, with government entities averaging $71,000. Unruh Act allows $4,000 per violation plus attorney fees.

🎯 Government Entity Surge: DOJ finalized Title II regulations in April 2024 requiring WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Government lawsuits increasing as plaintiffs shift from private sector to public entities with clearer legal obligations.

⚠️ Overlay Warning: FTC fined AccessiBe $1M in January 2025 for deceptive claims that AI overlays ensure compliance. Order bars company from claiming automated products can make websites WCAG-compliant. CA entities using overlays remain vulnerable to lawsuits.

📈 New Legal Precedent: Both federal and state courts ruled online-only businesses not covered by ADA, but government websites explicitly required to comply under Title II final rule.

⏰ April 24, 2026 Deadline: Entities serving 50,000+ must comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA. Emergency compliance costs 3-4x normal rates. Early compliance critical.