As a general rule, a California business must comply with the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, your company may be exempt from certain portions of the law if it doesn’t directly serve the public. For instance, a firm that operates out of a warehouse may only need to ensure that the building itself is ADA compliant.
It doesn’t matter how large your company is
It’s important to note that your organization must comply with the ADA regardless of how large it is. It may be even more important for a smaller company to remain in compliance as a single lawsuit could force it into bankruptcy. Regardless of how large your firm is, it is advisable to buy liability insurance to help protect against the financial consequences of an ADA violation.
You’re responsible for upgrading any properties that your company acquires
If your company recently acquired a hotel, restaurant or office building, it could be sued if the property isn’t ADA compliant. The same could be true if your business acquires a website, social media platform or other digital property that has ADA compliance issues. You should contact an attorney prior to taking ownership of an asset that you believe might need upgrades to comply with federal law.
In the event that a property isn’t accessible to individuals with disabilities, your company could be exposed to potential litigation. If a judge finds in favor of the plaintiff, your organization may be required to pay a fine as well as bring the building into compliance with the law.