"Tester" Plaintiffs — New Serial Lawsuit Filers Target Small Businesses (2026)
🔴 A new wave of serial "tester" plaintiffs is sweeping the nation. These individuals visit hundreds of websites specifically looking for ADA violations — then file lawsuits by the dozens. Small businesses are their primary targets.
🛡️ Is Your Business a Target?
Run a free ADA compliance scan — identify issues before serial plaintiffs do.
Protect Your Business →Who Are the "Tester" Plaintiffs?
"Tester" plaintiffs are individuals who visit websites specifically to find accessibility violations — not because they need to use the site, but to generate lawsuits and settlements.
⚖️ How They Operate:
- Visit hundreds of websites systematically
- Document alleged accessibility violations (using automated tools)
- File dozens or even hundreds of nearly identical lawsuits
- Target small businesses that are less likely to fight back
- Settle quickly for $10,000-$50,000 per case
Meet the Serial Plaintiffs (Recent Active Filers)
👤 Katherine Corbett
Lawsuits filed: 32+ lawsuits in recent months
Represented by: Equal Access Law Group
Targets: Small e-commerce stores, local service websites
👤 Judith Pelaez
Lawsuits filed: 11+ lawsuits
Represented by: Equal Access Law Group
Targets: Restaurant websites, hotel booking sites
👤 Sumaya Hussein
Lawsuits filed: 9+ lawsuits
Represented by: Equal Access Law Group
Targets: E-commerce, appointment booking sites
👤 Daniel Barlow
Lawsuits filed: 6+ lawsuits
Represented by: Equal Access Law Group
Targets: Dental practice websites, medical booking
👤 William Odonnell
Lawsuits filed: 5+ lawsuits
Represented by: Equal Access Law Group
Targets: Small business websites, local retailers
⚠️ The Law Firm Behind the Wave: Equal Access Law Group has filed over 1,000 lawsuits since 2024 — including all 100+ cases filed by these plaintiffs. They are highly organized and extremely active.
Why Small Businesses Are Primary Targets
"These plaintiffs aren't trying to access your services — they're running a business model. They find websites with violations, file lawsuits, and collect settlements. Small businesses are easy targets because they can't afford to fight."
Most Common Violations Cited in Tester Lawsuits
| Violation | % of Lawsuits | WCAG Criterion |
|---|---|---|
| Missing alt text on images | 87% | 1.1.1 |
| Poor color contrast | 76% | 1.4.3 |
| Missing form labels | 68% | 3.3.2 |
| No keyboard accessibility | 62% | 2.1.1 |
| Missing focus indicators | 58% | 2.4.7 |
🔍 Check for These Violations
Free ADA compliance scan — find the exact issues serial plaintiffs look for.
Scan Your Website →How Serial Plaintiffs Find Your Website
- Automated scanning tools: They use software to scan thousands of websites daily
- Targeted industries: They focus on industries known for accessibility issues (e-commerce, restaurants, healthcare)
- Geographic targeting: They focus on states with favorable laws (NY, FL, CA)
- Competitor referrals: Sometimes competitors report non-compliant websites
The Demand Letter Process — What to Expect
📬 When You Receive a Demand Letter:
- You receive a letter listing alleged accessibility violations
- Plaintiff offers to settle for $10,000-$50,000
- You have 30-60 days to respond
- If you ignore it, they file a federal lawsuit (costs increase dramatically)
⚠️ Don't Ignore Demand Letters: Ignoring a demand letter almost guarantees a federal lawsuit. Legal fees alone will exceed settlement costs.
How to Protect Your Business from Tester Plaintiffs
🛡️ 5-Step Protection Plan
- Step 1: Run a Free ADA Compliance Scan Today — Use AccessiTool's free ADA checker to identify violations before plaintiffs do.
- Step 2: Fix Critical Violations First — Focus on missing alt text, color contrast, and keyboard issues.
- Step 3: Document Your Fixes — Keep records of scans, fixes, and accessibility statements. This is your defense.
- Step 4: Publish an Accessibility Statement — Provide a clear way for users to report issues (shows good faith).
- Step 5: Regular Scanning (Monthly) — New content can introduce new violations. Scan monthly.
🛡️ Don't Be Their Next Target
Free ADA compliance scan — identify issues before serial plaintiffs do.
Protect Your Business Now →No signup. Instant results. WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
What to Do If You Receive a Demand Letter
- Don't panic — You're not alone. Thousands of businesses receive these letters.
- Don't ignore it — Ignoring leads to federal lawsuits and higher costs.
- Run an immediate scan — Use AccessiTool's free ADA checker to verify the alleged violations.
- Fix the issues — Document your fixes immediately.
- Consult an attorney — An experienced ADA defense attorney can negotiate better settlements.
- Consider settlement — Settling for $10,000-$30,000 is often cheaper than fighting.
State Laws That Attract Tester Plaintiffs
| State | Why Attractive | % of Lawsuits |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Plaintiff-friendly courts, high settlements | 62% |
| California | Unruh Act ($4,000 minimum per violation) | 12% |
| Florida | Fastest-growing venue | 8% |
🔴 If you do business in NY, CA, or FL: Your risk is significantly higher. These states account for 80%+ of all ADA website lawsuits.
Internal Links — More Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Serial "tester" plaintiffs are actively targeting small businesses — and they're not stopping. With over 100 lawsuits filed in recent months and law firms like Equal Access Law Group filing 1,000+ cases, your business could be next.
The good news? You can protect yourself. Run a free ADA compliance scan today. Fix the critical violations. Document everything. Don't become their next settlement check.
🚀 Don't Become a Target
Free ADA compliance scan — identify violations before serial plaintiffs do.
Protect Your Business Now →No signup. Instant results. WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
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