ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuits May 2026 Report
ADA website lawsuits
filed in May 2026
ADA website lawsuits filed against websites using Shopify
Lawsuits filed against website accessibility widget installed
ADA website accessibility lawsuits increased by 7.43% in May 2026, with 318 filings, up from 296 in April. Businesses faced an average of more than 10 new lawsuits per day throughout the month.
State-wise Breakdown
ADA website lawsuits remained concentrated in a few key jurisdictions, with Illinois leading all states, followed by New York, Florida, and California. Additional activity was reported in Minnesota, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Plaintiff and Law Firms
A small group of 19 plaintiffs filed over 50% of all ADA website lawsuits in May 2026. Similarly, just 12 law firms handled more than 91% of all filings, reflecting the significant role a limited number of plaintiffs and firms continue to play in ADA website lawsuit activity.
Industry Spotlight
Only 10 industries accounted for more than 91% of all ADA website lawsuits in May 2026. Lifestyle, Fashion, Clothing and Apparel led with 33.96% of filings, followed by Restaurant, Food, Drinks and Beverages at 20.75%, showing that ADA website lawsuits were heavily clustered among a relatively small group of industries.
Platform-specific Lawsuits
Shopify remained the most targeted platform, accounting for nearly half of all filings, followed by custom-coded websites and WordPress. Other platforms, including Squarespace, BigCommerce, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, saw comparatively fewer lawsuits.
Widget-related Lawsuits
A notable 23.27% of lawsuits involved websites using accessibility widgets, reflecting ongoing concerns about whether such solutions adequately address accessibility requirements.
Total Federal and State Court ADA Website Lawsuit for May 2026
State-Wise Breakdown of 318 ADA Website Lawsuits
Chart description for Total Federal and State Court ADA Website Lawsuit for May 2026
318 of ADA website lawsuits filed in May 2026:
Illinois 96, New York 67, Florida 54, California 52, Minnesota 19, Indiana 16, Wisconsin 7, Other States 7 lawsuits.
- Illinois remained the leading state for ADA website litigation in May 2026, recording 96 lawsuits, accounting for over 30% of all filings and reinforcing its position as the most active jurisdiction nationwide.
- New York returned to second place with 67 lawsuits, achieving its highest ranking after months and highlighting increased ADA website litigation activity.
- Florida and California remained the leading states for ADA website lawsuits in May 2026, recording 54 and 52 filings respectively, highlighting continued litigation activity in both jurisdictions.
- Minnesota and Indiana recorded 19 and 16 lawsuits, respectively, while Wisconsin and all other states reported 7 lawsuits each, underscoring how ADA website litigation remained concentrated within a relatively small number of jurisdictions.
- Collectively, Illinois, New York, Florida, and California accounted for 269 of the 318 lawsuits filed in May 2026, representing 84.59% of all filings, demonstrating the continued concentration of ADA website litigation in a handful of key states.
19 Plaintiffs Filed Over 50% of ADA Lawsuits in May 2026
| Plaintiff Name | Firm Name | May | Percentage | Jan-Apr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Sandoval | Manning Law, APC | 29 | 9.12% | 66 |
| Julie Dalton | Throndset Michenfelder, LLC | 13 | 4.09% | 77 |
| Nestor A Proveyer | Adams & Associates, P.A. | 11 | 3.46% | 27 |
| Nicholas Pagan | Alberto R. Leal, Esq., P.A. | 11 | 3.46% | 16 |
| Alvear Enrique | Roderick V. Hannah, Esq., P.A. | 10 | 3.14% | 17 |
| James Murphy | Gottlieb & Associates | 9 | 2.83% | 14 |
| Livingston Bennett | Equal Access Law Group, PLLC | 8 | 2.52% | 27 |
| Perla Mageno | Manning Law, APC | 7 | 2.20% | 52 |
| Andre Battle | Horowitz Law, PLLC | 7 | 2.20% | 14 |
| Norma O. Gazonni | Brasil & Brasil, P.A | 6 | 1.89% | 21 |
| Victor Lopez | Gottlieb & Associates | 6 | 1.89% | 9 |
| Clarence Frost | Throndset Michenfelder, LLC | 6 | 1.89% | 7 |
| Erika Randolph | Horowitz Law, PLLC | 6 | 1.89% | 5 |
| Denise Crumwell | Gottlieb & Associates | 6 | 1.89% | 0 |
| Joseph Ortiz | Gottlieb & Associates | 6 | 1.89% | 0 |
| Howard Wilson | Stein Saks, PLLC | 5 | 1.57% | 14 |
| Rosemarie Ramirez | Stein Saks, PLLC | 5 | 1.57% | 13 |
| Leah Walker | Equal Access Law Group, PLLC | 5 | 1.57% | 9 |
| Sumaya Hussein | Equal Access Law Group, PLLC | 5 | 1.57% | 8 |
| 19 Plaintiffs Filed 50.63% ADA Lawsuits in May 2026 | 161 | 50.63% | 396 | |
| 70 Plaintiffs Collectively Filed 49.37% ADA Lawsuits in May 2026 | 157 | 49.37% | 937 | |
| 89 Plaintiffs Filed 318 Website ADA Lawsuits in May 2026 | 318 | 100.00% | 1,333 | |
Top 5 Plaintiffs
Lawsuits: 74
Percentage: 23.27%
Top 10 Plaintiffs
Lawsuits: 111
Percentage: 34.91%
Top 20 Plaintiffs
Lawsuits: 166
Percentage: 52.20%
Top 50 Plaintiffs
Lawsuits: 260
Percentage: 81.76%
Key Summary Points:
- Just 19 plaintiffs accounted for 50.63% of ADA website lawsuits in May 2026, filing 161 of the 318 total lawsuits. This continued concentration highlights the significant role a relatively small group of repeat plaintiffs plays in ADA website accessibility litigation.
- Michael Sandoval was the most active plaintiff in May, filing 29 lawsuits, representing 9.12% of all filings. His continued high filing volume further solidified his position as one of the most active ADA website plaintiffs of 2026.
- Julie Dalton ranked second with 13 lawsuits, while Nestor A. Proveyer and Nicholas Pagan each recorded 11 lawsuits, demonstrating continued filing activity among several repeat plaintiffs.
- Alvear Enrique filed 10 lawsuits during May, while James Murphy contributed 9 lawsuits, placing both among the most active plaintiffs during the month.
- Plaintiffs represented by Equal Access Law Group, PLLC, including Livingston Bennett, Leah Walker, and Sumaya Hussein, collectively contributed to a notable share of May filings, reflecting the firm’s continued prominence in ADA website litigation.
- Several plaintiffs associated with Gottlieb & Associates, including James Murphy, Victor Lopez, Denise Crumwell, and Joseph Ortiz, appeared frequently in May filings, highlighting the firm’s ongoing role in driving ADA website accessibility claims.
12 Law Firms Filed Over 91% of ADA Lawsuits in May 2026
| Plaintiff Firm Name | May | Percentage | Jan-Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal Access Law Group, PLLC | 92 | 28.93% | 402 |
| Manning Law, APC | 49 | 15.41% | 198 |
| Gottlieb & Associates | 37 | 11.64% | 121 |
| Throndset Michenfelder, LLC | 19 | 5.97% | 85 |
| Joseph & Norinsberg, LLC | 16 | 5.03% | 41 |
| Stein Saks, PLLC | 15 | 4.72% | 85 |
| Adams & Associates, P.A. | 15 | 4.72% | 31 |
| Horowitz Law, PLLC | 13 | 4.09% | 23 |
| Roderick V. Hannah, Esq., P.A. | 11 | 3.46% | 52 |
| Alberto R. Leal, Esq., P.A. | 11 | 3.46% | 16 |
| Mizrahi Kroub LLP | 7 | 2.20% | 31 |
| Brasil & Brasil, P.A | 6 | 1.89% | 21 |
| 12 Law Firms Filed 91.51% ADA Lawsuits in May 2026 | 291 | 91.51% | 1,106 |
| 11 Law Firms Filed 8.49% ADA Lawsuits in May 2026 | 27 | 8.49% | 227 |
| 23 Law Firms Collectively Filed 318 Lawsuits in May 2026 | 318 | 100% | 1,333 |
Top 5 Plaintiffs
Lawsuits: 213
Percentage: 66.98%
Top 10 plaintiff Firms
Lawsuits: 278
Percentage: 87.42%
Top 15 plaintiff Firms
Lawsuits: 305
Percentage: 95.91%
Key Summary Points:
- Law Firm Concentration: A small group of 12 law firms accounted for 91.51% of all ADA website lawsuits filed in May 2026, handling 291 of the 318 total lawsuits, highlighting the continued concentration of ADA website litigation among a limited number of plaintiff firms.
- Equal Access Law Group, PLLC remained the most active plaintiff firm with 92 lawsuits, representing 28.93% of all May filings and maintaining its position as the leading filer.
- Manning Law, APC ranked second with 49 lawsuits, followed by Gottlieb & Associates with 37 lawsuits, demonstrating continued high volume filing activity among the top firms.
- Throndset Michenfelder, LLC recorded 19 lawsuits, while Joseph & Norinsberg, LLC filed 16 lawsuits, placing both among the most active ADA website litigation firms during May.
- Stein Saks, PLLC and Adams & Associates, P.A. each reported 15 lawsuits, reflecting their continued participation in ADA website accessibility litigation.
- The concentration of filings remained significant, with the Top 3 law firms responsible for 55.98% of all lawsuits, while the Top 12 law firms accounted for 91.51% of total filings in May 2026.
10 Industries Faced Over 91% Lawsuits in May 2026
| Industry Category | May | Percentage | Jan-Apr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle, Fashion, Clothing & Apparel | 108 | 33.96% | 330 |
| Restaurant, Food, Drinks & Beverages | 66 | 20.75% | 420 |
| Medical & Health | 37 | 11.64% | 93 |
| Beauty, Skin & Body Care | 19 | 5.97% | 101 |
| Furniture, Lighting, Home Decor & Kitchen Accessories | 19 | 5.97% | 91 |
| Retail & Consumer Goods | 12 | 3.77% | 57 |
| Fitness & Sports Accessories | 8 | 2.52% | 35 |
| Computer, Mobile & Electronic Accessories | 8 | 2.52% | 33 |
| Travel, Hotels & Hospitality | 8 | 2.52% | 13 |
| Home, Kitchen Appliances & Accessories | 7 | 2.20% | 22 |
| 10 Industries Faced 91.82% of Lawsuits in May 2026 | 292 | 91.82% | 1,195 |
| 9 Industries Faced 8.18% of Lawsuits in May 2026 | 26 | 8.18% | 138 |
| Total ADA Website Lawsuits by Industry in May 2026 | 318 | 100% | 1,333 |
Key Summary Points:
- Industry Concentration: The top 10 industries accounted for 292 of the 318 ADA website lawsuits filed in May 2026, representing 91.82% of all filings. These sectors typically rely on complex e-commerce, customer self-service tools, and high-traffic digital experiences, making accessibility barriers more likely to impact users and attract legal scrutiny.
- Leading Industries: Lifestyle, Fashion, Clothing & Apparel led all industries with 108 lawsuits (33.96%), followed by Restaurant, Food, Drinks & Beverages with 66 lawsuits (20.75%), together accounting for more than half of all filings in May.
- Other Major Targets: Medical & Health ranked third with 37 lawsuits (11.64%), while Beauty, Skin & Body Care and Furniture, Lighting, Home Decor & Kitchen Accessories each recorded 19 lawsuits (5.97%).
- Additional Activity: Lawsuits were also reported across Retail & Consumer Goods, Fitness & Sports Accessories, Computer, Mobile & Electronic Accessories, Travel, Hotels & Hospitality, and Home, Kitchen Appliances & Accessories, demonstrating the broad reach of ADA website accessibility litigation across consumer facing industries.
ADA Lawsuits Filed By Web Platforms in May 2026
Website platforms play a central role in helping businesses establish and manage their online presence. While these platforms may provide accessibility features and tools, ADA-related lawsuits can still arise when accessibility is not properly integrated into the website experience.
Ultimately, website owners remain responsible for ensuring ADA compliance. Accessibility tools can support compliance efforts, but their effectiveness depends on proper implementation, regular maintenance, and ongoing accessibility practices.
Shopify
A comprehensive e-commerce platform that helps businesses build, operate, and scale online stores with flexible features and user-friendly management tools.
Lawsuits: 153
Percentage: 48.11%
WordPress
A widely used content management system known for its extensive customization capabilities, supported by a large ecosystem of themes, plugins, and third-party integrations.
Lawsuits: 34
Percentage: 10.69%
Squarespace
A website-building platform that helps businesses design, manage, and maintain professional websites using built-in design features and a streamlined user experience.
Lawsuits: 8
Percentage: 2.52%
Magento
A customizable open-source e-commerce platform known for its flexibility in design and powerful features for businesses.
Lawsuits: 8
Percentage: 2.52%
BigCommerce
A scalable e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build, manage, and expand online stores through powerful built-in tools and features.
Lawsuits: 6
Percentage: 1.89%
Custom-Coded Websites
Custom-built websites created to support unique business requirements through tailored design, functionality, and user experiences.
Lawsuits: 109
Percentage: 34.28%
Industry & News
Serial Litigation and the Economics of Waiting
California website accessibility litigation remains driven by a small number of high-volume plaintiffs. A 2026 Los Angeles Times investigation documented one plaintiff named in roughly 1,885 ADA cases, and found that the Orange County firm Manning Law had seven clients who collectively sued over 1,000 Southern California businesses in 2025. A recurring claim in these filings is websites that fail with screen readers and other assistive technology—the WCAG 2.1 Level AA failures courts increasingly treat as the de facto standard.
The economics explain the volume. Under California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, each violation carries a $4,000 statutory minimum on top of federal ADA exposure and legal fees, so settling is almost always cheaper than litigating—regardless of merit. Accessibility disputes become a recurring cost of doing business rather than a one-time fix.
The key takeaway is the cost of waiting. As one Manning Law attorney noted in that reporting, the common practice is to wait until a lawsuit arrives before acting—by which point the business pays for both remediation and a settlement, under pressure and without a defensible compliance record. Proactive, maintained conformance to WCAG 2.1 AA remains the only approach that both serves users with disabilities and reduces legal exposure before a demand letter is sent.
California CIPA Litigation
California Senate Bill 690 (SB 690) continues to attract attention as businesses face a growing number of lawsuits under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA). The bill seeks to limit certain privacy claims involving common website technologies such as analytics tools, cookies, chat widgets, and session replay software when used for legitimate business purposes. While SB 690 remains under consideration, the ongoing debate highlights the increasing importance of website privacy compliance. CIPA lawsuits can expose businesses to statutory damages of up to $5,000 per violation, creating significant settlement pressure even when the alleged violations involve routine website functionality. Alongside ADA website lawsuits, CIPA litigation has emerged as another significant source of legal risk for online businesses.
Why This Matters
While separate from ADA website accessibility litigation, CIPA lawsuits represent another growing area of website compliance risk. Businesses are increasingly facing legal scrutiny not only for accessibility barriers but also for the technologies they use to collect user data and monitor website interactions. As a result, organizations should continue evaluating both accessibility and privacy compliance as part of their overall website risk management strategy.
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