Small business owners in New York are facing a wave of federal lawsuits alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, intensifying tensions between storefront operators and disability rights advocates.
Newly opened establishments and immigrant entrepreneurs are particularly affected, often incurring thousands of dollars in legal fees to resolve complaints about physical accessibility barriers.
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Rodrigo Nogueira, owner of No More Cafe in Manhattan's East Village, received a summons in April 2025 listing 35 alleged violations, though the lawsuit claimed he had outdoor tables that do not exist.
Nogueira discovered through public records that the attorney who sued him had filed over 100 similar cases in the past nine years.
“Every business owner I spoke to had opened within the last year or two. Every one of them was an immigrant,” Nogueira wrote.
“None of us had any idea how to navigate the federal court system.”
He noted that several owners did not realize they had been sued until after the deadline to respond had passed.
Business advocates say settling out of court costs between $13,000 and $20,000, while fighting a case in federal court can exceed $50,000.
“The issue is around the ability for small business owners to make these changes,” said Jessica Walker, president and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
Walker testified before the New York City Council about the severe financial impact on local businesses, noting that repairs can be cost-prohibitive.
