It's Not Good (Lawsuit Update)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their experience of being sued by Mr. Darnell Williams for failing to meet ADA compliance on their website. The speaker describes the growing issue of 'ambulance chaser' lawyers targeting small businesses for these lawsuits, and the emotional toll it took. Despite efforts to make their website accessible, they were still targeted. After much contemplation, the speaker ultimately decides to settle rather than risk a prolonged, costly legal battle. While feeling disappointed with themselves, they explain the decision as one to prioritize family and peace of mind over ego and pride.

Takeaways

• 😀 A lawsuit has been filed against the speaker by Mr. Darnell Williams for not having an ADA-compliant website.
• 😀 This type of lawsuit is becoming increasingly common, with attorneys targeting small business owners and e-commerce sites for ADA compliance.
• 😀 Attorneys often team up with visually impaired individuals to sue businesses for ADA violations, with the intent of settling quickly for financial compensation.
• 😀 The attorney’s tactics are likened to ‘legalized extortion,’ where businesses are scared into settling due to the high costs and emotional toll of a legal battle.
• 😀 Many small businesses are being targeted for ADA non-compliance because of their website’s inability to pass automated scans, despite efforts to make websites accessible.
• 😀 The speaker had already invested in an accessibility widget for their website, but this didn’t prevent the lawsuit, as 100% ADA compliance is nearly impossible due to constant updates and changes to websites.
• 😀 These lawsuits are described as a widespread epidemic, and the speaker expresses frustration over the abuse of the legal system to extort money from small businesses.
• 😀 Owning and running a small business has become increasingly difficult due to rising costs and legal challenges, and the situation is worsened by these lawsuits.
• 😀 Despite the emotional and financial toll, the speaker decided to settle the lawsuit after advice from their attorney and reflecting on a life lesson from their grandfather about feeding one’s family versus one’s ego.
• 😀 The speaker acknowledges feelings of disappointment and embarrassment for choosing to settle, but believes it was the right decision for their peace of mind and the future of their business.
• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude for the support from their audience and reassures them that the decision was made with integrity, even though it wasn’t the easiest or fairest choice.

Q & A

What is the lawsuit about that the speaker is facing?

The speaker is being sued by Mr. Darnell Williams for not making their website ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. This lawsuit is part of a larger trend where businesses are targeted for accessibility issues on their websites.

What is the general practice of lawyers involved in ADA lawsuits, according to the speaker?

Lawyers, like Mr. Darnell Williams, target small business owners by finding visually impaired individuals to act as plaintiffs in lawsuits. They then file lawsuits against companies for ADA non-compliance, often settling for quick financial payouts without taking the case to trial.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the practice of these lawsuits?

The speaker feels that these lawsuits are a form of legalized extortion, where businesses are scared into paying settlements instead of fighting the lawsuit, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

How does the speaker describe the financial and emotional impact of being sued?

The speaker describes being sued as emotionally devastating, comparing it to the feeling of losing something precious, like a pet. They express frustration because they took preventative measures by spending money on accessibility software but still found themselves targeted.

Why does the speaker believe that ADA compliance software may make businesses more vulnerable?

The speaker suggests that having ADA compliance widgets on a website might actually make businesses bigger targets. Lawyers may assume that these businesses believe they are fully compliant, but since perfect ADA compliance is impossible, they find violations to exploit in the scans.

What does the speaker mean when they say that ADA compliance is 'impossible'?

The speaker emphasizes that no website can ever be 100% ADA compliant because it’s an ongoing process. Every time a website is updated or new content is added, adjustments must be made to ensure compliance, which is an overwhelming and continuous task.

What did the speaker’s grandfather teach them about business, and how did this lesson influence their decision?

The speaker’s grandfather taught them that in business, you can either feed your ego or feed your family, but not both. This lesson made the speaker reconsider their decision to fight the lawsuit, understanding that the financial and emotional costs of a long legal battle might hurt their business and personal life.

How did the speaker ultimately decide to resolve the lawsuit, and what factors influenced this decision?

The speaker ultimately decided to settle the lawsuit, although initially, they were determined to fight it. They were influenced by the desire for peace of mind and the advice of their attorney. They negotiated a settlement amount and chose to move forward, prioritizing their business and personal well-being over their ego.

What is the speaker’s emotional reaction to settling the lawsuit?

The speaker feels sad, embarrassed, and disappointed in themselves for not following through with their initial plan to fight the lawsuit. Despite knowing it was the right decision, they still feel a sense of failure and are concerned about letting down their supporters.

What message does the speaker hope to convey to their audience with this video?

The speaker hopes to share a life lesson about making difficult decisions in business, even when the right choice is not easy or fair. They aim to maintain transparency with their audience and express gratitude for their support, while also showing that sometimes, choosing peace of mind over pride is necessary.