Equal Access Law Group ADA Demand Letters and Lawsuit Filings

Equal Access Law Group (EALG) sends ADA demand letters to businesses across the United States, often targeting website accessibility issues. If you've received one, understanding your legal options—and acting quickly to retain competent legal counsel—can significantly affect the outcome.

Receiving a legal demand letter or lawsuit is unsettling. When that letter or lawsuit comes from Equal Access Law Group (EALG) and references the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the pressure to respond—or settle—can feel immediate. Before you act, understand what you're dealing with and what your options are.

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What Is Equal Access Law Group?

Equal Access Law Group is a law firm that files ADA-related demands and lawsuits against businesses, most commonly targeting website accessibility under Title III of the ADA. Their attorneys—including Asher Cohen, Eliezer Lekht, Alison Chan, Michael Ohrenberger, and Jason Marshall—have been associated with high volume demand letters and/or ADA lawsuits sent to small and mid-sized businesses nationwide.

These demands typically allege that a business's website is not compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), making it inaccessible to users with disabilities.

What Does an EALG Demand Letter Typically Claim?

EALG demand letters generally allege one or more of the following:

• Website inaccessibility for users who are disabled under the ADA

  
  

• Failure to meet WCAG 2.1 standards, such as missing alt text, poor keyboard navigation, or non-compliant forms

  
  

• Violation of Title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination by places of public accommodation

A demand letter might request a monetary settlement and a commitment to remediate the website—often within a short timeframe.

Should You Settle or Fight an EALG Demand or Lawsuit?

This depends on several factors, including the strength of the claims, your current level of website accessibility, and your business's risk tolerance.

Consider settling if:

• Your website has clear and documented accessibility barriers

  
  

• Litigation costs would far exceed the settlement amount

  
  

• You want to resolve the matter quickly and move toward compliance

Consider defending if:

• Your website already meets or substantially meets WCAG standards

  
  

• The plaintiff lacks standing to bring a claim (i.e., they have no plausible intent to use your services)

  
  

• The demand appears part of a high-volume, non-individualized campaign

  
  

An experienced ADA defense attorney at our law firm can assess which path is appropriate for your specific situation.

What Are Your Legal Options After Receiving an EALG Demand or Lawsuit?

Upon receiving a demand from EALG, you have several available courses of action:

1. Retain ADA defense counsel immediately. Response deadlines in demand letters and lawsuits are often short. Delaying legal counsel can limit your options.

   
   

2. Audit your website for accessibility compliance. A professional accessibility audit provides an objective baseline and can support your defense or remediation efforts.

   
   

3. Challenge the plaintiff's standing. Courts have increasingly scrutinized whether plaintiffs in serial ADA website cases have suffered actual harm or have a genuine intent to use the business's services.

   
   

4. Negotiate a resolution. Many EALG demands are resolved through negotiated settlements that include a compliance commitment and a defined payment. An experiences attorney from our law firm can assist with this process.

   
   

5. Litigate the matter. If the claims lack merit, we may recommend contesting the lawsuit in court.

   
   

How Quickly Do You Need to Respond to an EALG Demand or Lawsuit?

Acting promptly is critical. Most demand letters include a response deadline—commonly between 10 and 30 days. Lawsuit response time is typically 20 days. Failing to respond does not make the matter disappear; it typically results in a formal lawsuit being filed (in the case of demand letters) or default judgments (in the case of lawsuits). Retaining legal counsel within the first few days of receiving the letter gives you the best possible foundation for your defense.

Protect Your Business from Future ADA Website Demands

Proactive compliance is your strongest long-term defense. Key steps include:

• Conducting regular WCAG 2.1 accessibility audits

• Implementing an accessibility remediation plan with documented progress

• Adding an accessibility statement to your website

• Consulting with legal counsel to assess ongoing ADA exposure

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an EALG demand letter the same as a lawsuit?No. A demand letter is a pre-litigation communication. However, if not addressed, it can escalate to a formal lawsuit filed in federal or state court.

Are EALG's ADA website claims legitimate?ADA website accessibility claims have been recognized by many federal courts. However, the strength of each claim varies. A qualified defense attorney can evaluate whether a specific demand has legal merit.

Can I ignore an EALG demand letter?Ignoring the letter is not advisable. Doing so typically results in the filing of a lawsuit, which is more costly and time-consuming to resolve.