By: Randy Goldberg
I previously wrote an article about the plague of “ADA Testers” infiltrating our businesses and medical practices with non-sensical claims of ADA non-compliance. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the need for ADA compliance and providing access to persons with disabilities. When I was a police officer, I loved to write tickets for people who were parked in handicapped spots when they were not authorized to do so by law. Such conduct by these disrespectful individuals, was like sticking up a middle finger to persons with disabilities. However, there needs to be a way of addressing ADA compliance without allowing self-serving cannibalistic attorneys and professional plaintiffs from profiting from their cottage industry.
The Florida legislature has taken steps to do just that. As of July 2017, after the enactment of Florida Statute §553.5141, there is a mechanism in place to allow owners of “places of public accommodations” (i.e. businesses and medical offices that are open to the public)[1] to take a pre-emptive strike against such claims. Continue reading