mark handler
SAWHORSE
Senator Mimi Walters hosts Free ADA Compliance Workshop
by Erin Haselton on August 16, 2012
http://fullertonchamber.com/e-focus-articles/senator-mimi-walt-ers-hosts-free-ada-compliance-workshop-9940
To help constituent business owners combat this problem, Senator Walters is hosting a free Small Business ADA Compliance Workshop featuring David W. Peters as the keynote speaker.
Event Detail:
Small Business ADA Compliance Workshop: Attendance Free: RSVP requested by calling (949) 457–7333.
Date: Thursday, September 6, 2012
Time: 3 – 4:30 p.m. (registration begins at 2:30 p.m.)
Location: Tustin Community Center 300 Centennial Way, Tustin
Event co–sponsors include the Orange and Tustin Chambers of Commerce
Workshop topics:
■How to reduce the risk of claims
■What to do if you are sued
■Inexpensive fixes and alternatives
■Conditions you probably have at your property which commonly support these lawsuits
■Proposed legislation to stop the abuse
While passed with the best of intentions, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar California laws are being abused by a few unscrupulous individuals and their attorneys. In the past few years, tens of thousands of abusive lawsuits have been filed, primarily against small businesses.
Here in Orange County, one disabled plaintiff, an ex–convict who became disabled while committing an attempted robbery, has filed 20 lawsuits against small businesses since the beginning of this year. Even seemingly minor items of noncompliance can cost a business $4000 plus attorneys’ fees and court costs. Many businesses just settle to avoid a costly court case. A surprising number of plaintiffs in these cases have extensive criminal histories, but advocates claim that this is all just part of California’s system of “private enforcement.”
Yet some of the “enforcers” seem to be engaging in worse conduct than the defendants they are suing. Several senators, including Senator Walters, introduced legislation this year to help reduce the potential for abuse in these cases. One of their key ADA advisors is attorney David W. Peters, who specializes in defending businesses against ADA lawsuits and has consulted in more than 900 cases throughout the United States. According to Peters, 98 percent of all small businesses have at least one condition to serve as the basis of most of these lawsuits. As a result, nearly every business can be sued!
by Erin Haselton on August 16, 2012
http://fullertonchamber.com/e-focus-articles/senator-mimi-walt-ers-hosts-free-ada-compliance-workshop-9940
To help constituent business owners combat this problem, Senator Walters is hosting a free Small Business ADA Compliance Workshop featuring David W. Peters as the keynote speaker.
Event Detail:
Small Business ADA Compliance Workshop: Attendance Free: RSVP requested by calling (949) 457–7333.
Date: Thursday, September 6, 2012
Time: 3 – 4:30 p.m. (registration begins at 2:30 p.m.)
Location: Tustin Community Center 300 Centennial Way, Tustin
Event co–sponsors include the Orange and Tustin Chambers of Commerce
Workshop topics:
■How to reduce the risk of claims
■What to do if you are sued
■Inexpensive fixes and alternatives
■Conditions you probably have at your property which commonly support these lawsuits
■Proposed legislation to stop the abuse
While passed with the best of intentions, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar California laws are being abused by a few unscrupulous individuals and their attorneys. In the past few years, tens of thousands of abusive lawsuits have been filed, primarily against small businesses.
Here in Orange County, one disabled plaintiff, an ex–convict who became disabled while committing an attempted robbery, has filed 20 lawsuits against small businesses since the beginning of this year. Even seemingly minor items of noncompliance can cost a business $4000 plus attorneys’ fees and court costs. Many businesses just settle to avoid a costly court case. A surprising number of plaintiffs in these cases have extensive criminal histories, but advocates claim that this is all just part of California’s system of “private enforcement.”
Yet some of the “enforcers” seem to be engaging in worse conduct than the defendants they are suing. Several senators, including Senator Walters, introduced legislation this year to help reduce the potential for abuse in these cases. One of their key ADA advisors is attorney David W. Peters, who specializes in defending businesses against ADA lawsuits and has consulted in more than 900 cases throughout the United States. According to Peters, 98 percent of all small businesses have at least one condition to serve as the basis of most of these lawsuits. As a result, nearly every business can be sued!