Shuttered business wins ADA lawsuit fight

Denver7 investigative reporter Ryan Luby tells us the owner of a popular Colorado restaurant who fought back against a serial lawsuit filer believes the plaintiff had little desire to put up a fight, preferring to collect a quick, sizable settlement instead.

[@nemo227]

Extortion is a crime and should be prosecuted fully.

[@Audiogeek-kf2ez]

As a person with disabilities I am ashamed of this ADA hacker that is extourting great resturants. This is not a new money grab. In AZ there is a huge 2 person company that tries to get millions. As a person will disabilities I applaud any company that will talk to me and say "ok what is the problem and what can we do to correct this"

[@authenticapparel1906]

There’s a guy in California that files thousands of these lawsuits and puts many restaurants out of business

[@lozada1971]

I’m a disabled veteran and I agree with talking to the business owner and pointing out issues he/she might not even be aware of. People just want to sued for anything. It’s shameful.

[@MichaelClark-uw7ex]

We had a guy in our town try that ADA shakedown scam on several small businesses about 20 years ago.

[@mikemoore8808]

Man super kudos to that attorney for stepping in with integrity pro bono no less. I've seen alot of attorneys and judges act like and treat people like complete shit. This lady should be appointed judge in that state

[@FastEddy1959]

As a Florida resident, I will remember this and keep my eye out for the Weiss Law Group… AND I will not hesitate to mention this to my neighbors & friends.

[@racheltalley3722]

The FBI needs to invigorate the “drive by” suers for extortion under the RICO law

[@fhuber7507]

ADA compliance should simply be a matter of STATE regulation and fines for non-compliance. Not civil suits.

[@prestonestes1388]

If I was the owner of the restraint I would counter sue for hurassment and slander to get the money back from the damages done to reputation and loss of money from the time that they had to close.

[@johnbrittingham4471]

A popular glamping campsite had to get rid of their custom Airstream trailers because they weren't AFA complaint even though they had ADA compliant tents. All the bathrooms and showers are ADA compliant. The Airstreams were for the elderly folks that had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. So if a handicap person can't use them no one can.

[@ThatWeirdPlaceInYT]

Seems like the man and lawyer were just hoping for an out of court settlement, when the restaurant was ready for trial, they didn't want to go through with it. Lots of companies just settle out of court to make problems go away, I'm glad this owner fought back.

[@matta5498]

My guesstimate is that 80%+ ADA lawsuits are simple extortion.

[@dbadaddy7386]

I'd like to see a change to the law requiring proof of a bona fide effort to contact the business owners with a specific list of issues and provide a reasonable period of time to correct such issues, and that the plaintiff and lawyer are jointly and severally liable for the legal expenses of the defendant if a case is lost OR if the case is dropped. Furthermore, both the plaintiffs AND their attorneys should be required under oath to identify any other ADA litigation of which they have been a part. Legitimate complainants would have no problem with these restrictions, if their real intent is to improve access and not conduct a shakedown.

[@r1nc3w1nd7]

This sounds like the ADA version of a Patent-trolling.

[@fodank]

The goal of these cases is revenue enhancement for the lawyers. Period.

[@Rick_Sanchez_C137_]

As a disabled person, people filing BS ADA lawsuits piss me off…. There are businesses that ignore ADA and deserve lawsuits, these jerks using ADA to make money because they are too lazy to get a job are trash deserving JAIL….

[@banditkings1953]

What about the law of the extortion? The law firm try to extort cash money from a company. (Restaurant). Isn't there a law about that? I would file charges against the law firm that try to extort money from a business. If not the law firm then the person who hired the law firm. That sure would stop illegal claims Ada violations. The low life just tried to get some Fast Cash. Just like the looters in Houston Texas and the flood.

[@forcesightknight]

Extortion? Sounds like these lawyers need to be put into wheelchairs themselves, permanently.

[@MrBoomersfriend]

As a person living with disabilities I’m very pleased to see this Texas representative make this legislation I don’t know if the timelines are right but I do know businesses should be given the time to comply with accessibility rules. I’m sorry to see frivolous lawsuits when the ADA is meant to deal with real problems.