Blog
CASp Inspection: Shield Against ADA Title III Lawsuits
10.25.2025
Accessibility lawsuits remain prevalent in California, where public filings consistently show thousands of ADA Title III cases filed nationally each year, with California among the top states. Claims often target measurable site issues—parking, paths of travel, entrances, counters, and restrooms—making proactive assessment essential for businesses open to the public.
The takeaway is clear: early identification and documentation of barriers can significantly reduce exposure, legal costs, and operational disruption.
The Certified Access Specialist Program (CASp) provides a formal evaluation of your site’s accessibility. During a CASp inspection, certified specialists review accessible parking and signage, slopes and cross-slopes, curb ramps and landings, entrances and door hardware, maneuvering clearances, counters and transaction surfaces, seating dispersion, and restroom elements such as grab bars, clear floor space, lavatories, dispensers, and mirrors.
The result is a structured report with measurements, photos, code references, and corrective actions prioritized by risk and practicality.
When a business undergoes a CASp inspection before a complaint and engages in barrier removal planning, it may obtain “Qualified Defendant” status under California law. This can provide procedural benefits, such as a stay of litigation and early evaluation, and may help reduce statutory damages when good-faith efforts and timely corrections are documented.
Timing matters. Inspections completed prior to receiving a complaint generally offer the strongest protections and demonstrate proactive intent.
CASp inspections do more than mitigate legal risk. They improve the customer experience, enhance safety and usability, and help plan cost-effective upgrades that minimize downtime. Addressing priority items early often prevents expensive rework and repeat violations later.
CCIS brings certified expertise, detailed reporting, and practical guidance tailored to your operations. Our team serves a wide range of industries across California—retail, restaurants, healthcare, professional services, hospitality, fitness, and more—delivering clear findings, prioritized action items, and documentation you can rely on.
A CASp inspection is your best insurance policy against an ADA lawsuit—protecting your business while improving accessibility for everyone.
