Wednesday, December 5, 2012

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN SIGNS ADA LAWSUIT ABUSE MEASURE INTO LAW

October 2012
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law Senate Bill 1186 geared to prevent the ever growing frivolous lawsuits of American with Disabilities Act (ADA) violations.

Nearly 40 percent of ADA lawsuits are filed in the state of California. There is a serious problem in the state where attorneys are filling shakedown lawsuits negotiating monetary settlement with no intention of improving access for persons with disabilities.

A San Diego based attorney, who filed ~500 such lawsuits over a three year period was recently disbarred as many of the suits included a plaintiff whom was not even aware the suits had been filed.

A key provision of the legislation bans "demand for money" letters. Letters can still be sent to a business alerting them of a potential violation or infraction, but that letter can't include a "demand for money". Attorneys will also be required to send any letter regarding ADA issues to the California State Bar.

The law also prevents stacking of multiple claims, a common practice to increase monetary damages, and requires the plaintiff to explain the need for multiple visits to the same business with a known uncorrected barrier to access.

As the bill includes an urgency clause and was passed by the Senate on a 34-3 vote and 77-0 in the Assembly the law will go into effect immediately.