National ADA defense, Business, Real Estate Blog

When operating an existing business, or when remodeling existing space or designing new space, you need to make certain that your restrooms are ADA compliant, otherwise you will be certain to face an ADA lawsuit.

One area that deserves attention to ADA regulations is restroom design. For a person with a disability, navigating a non-compliant restroom can be embarrassing, upsetting and sometimes extremely difficult. It is important that you are careful not to overlook the common design mistakes that could cause your customers frustration and place you at extreme risk for ADA lawsuits that could have a major negative impact on your business. What used to be 10 or 20 Plaintiffs looking for businesses to sue has now increased 100 fold, so every business will likely be looked at in the months ahead.

When people in California buy a home, they generally must take out a mortgage loan from a bank in order to do so. Very few people have the cash available to buy their homes outright, so choosing the right mortgage can be a particularly important part of the real estate transaction. There are a number of different options that may be available. For example, first-time homebuyers may have access to some government programs designed to support homeownership, including VA, FHA or USDA loans. Of course, each of these programs has its own eligibility requirements, so a conventional bank loan may be best for some purchasers.

Many banks present both a traditional, 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and a 15-year, short-term loan option. People may be torn about which mortgage to consider when purchasing their own home. While a 30-year mortgage is the overwhelmingly preferred option, some people want a short-term mortgage to access the lower interest rates available for this type of loan. Considering that houses cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and up, even small differences in the interest rate can mean significant savings. In addition, people can accumulate equity in their homes more quickly with their larger monthly payments and shorter loan terms.

Purchasing a home can be a challenge. However, California residents can take certain steps to help make the home buying process less of a hassle.

Researching homes online can be the first step. Instead of using a real estate agent, prospective homebuyers can peruse online sites that detail all the specification of a home, including the type of heating that is used, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, parking and annual taxes. The online sites also provide photographs of the interior and exterior of the homes.

As a business owner, you know there are countless things you must think about, from running your company, to payroll to employee management. It can sometimes seem overwhelming and it's easy to overlook some things, such as handicap accessibility and ADA compliance. However, failure to consider the ongoing legal compliance with the ADA, can result in costly endless litigation.  This can have a significant financial impact and, as with any litigation, it is always a time-consuming distraction from your business.

The Americans with Disabilities Act attempts to protect the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities. This law means that certain aspects of your businesses will likely need to be ADA compliant. ADA compliance is very technical. You are not compliant simply because you have attempted some do-it-yourself modifications, or because your disabled customers seem to have no problems at your business. It's essential to take the time to review the standards with an expert to determine what aspects of your business, if any, do not meet ADA requirements, and if there are any exceptions that might apply, including the “not readily achievable” defense.