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INFOGUIDE
The 2026 Web Accessibility Ecommerce Litigation Report
New data reveals the trends, risks, and lessons shaping digital accessibility compliance, especially in the e-commerce industry.
On this page
E-commerce sites are the primary target for accessibility lawsuits
78% of accessibility lawsuits target online retailers, and filings have doubled since 2020. If you sell online, you’re exposed.
Accessibility barriers invite lawsuits and actively turn away paying customers. The 26% of U.S. adults with disabilities represent $13 trillion in addressable market demand you’re currently losing. Every inaccessible element blocks a purchase and simultaneously increases legal risk. Fix the accessibility issues, and you not only protect your business but also increase your overall customer metrics.
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Insight 01
The top reasons e-commerce businesses get sued are the same reasons that stop customers from completing a purchase
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By the Numbers
The top 5 accessibility barriers cited in lawsuits
88%
of lawsuits cited keyboard navigation issues: Customers who can't use a mouse can't complete checkout
88%
of lawsuits cited insufficient landmarks: Shoppers can't find products, their cart, or complete a purchase
74%
of lawsuits cited screen reader incompatibility: customers who are blind and use assistive technology are unable to browse your catalog or buy
63%
of lawsuits cited incomplete descriptions on buttons and links: Vague CTAs lead to abandoned carts and higher site bounce rates
39%
of lawsuits cited missing alt text: Missing product image descriptions mean customers don't know what they're ordering
Where to start
Address a top accessibility barrier by acting as a customer in your own business, but only use your keyboard to shop and complete a purchase. How far did you get? Rinse and repeat until you can go from browsing to shipping without a mouse.
Insight 02
Your liability extends to every state your customers are in
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Every zip code you serve can be a starting point for a state accessibility lawsuit. State court filings reached 77% of all web accessibility claims in 2025, multiplying your legal exposure across every market you serve. State lawsuits can stack with federal lawsuits, creating costly litigation proceedings for prosecuted e-commerce businesses.
U.S. digital accessibility lawsuits have doubled since 2020
Settlements typically cost $15-75k and increase with each recurrence
In addition to settlements, companies face legal fees, management time, and remediation costs that exceed the original settlement
Where to start
Use AudioEye’s free site scanner to see what accessibility barriers currently exist on your site. This is the first step in creating a long-term plan to address ongoing accessibility.
Insight 03
Accessibility toolbars and widgets do not hold up in court
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A false sense of security
38% of lawsuits in 2025 targeted businesses that used a toolbar or widget as their accessibility solution. These quick-fix approaches to accessibility do little to remedy actual barriers and only create a false sense of security in businesses that have one installed. The underlying issues that prevent purchases and trigger lawsuits remain, even when an accessibility toolbar is in place.
Where to start
No matter how tempting a quick fix may be, take a few minutes to learn the difference between different accessibility approaches. “Something is better than nothing” does not apply to accessibility toolbars.
The data is in: digital accessibility practices protect your business and add to your bottom line. Read the full 2026 Web Accessibility Litigation Report for deeper insights into the current legal landscape.
About AudioEye
AudioEye exists to ensure the digital future we build is accessible.
The gold standard for digital accessibility, AudioEye's comprehensive solution combines industry-leading AI automation technology with expert fixes informed by the disability community. This powerful combination delivers industry-leading protection, ensuring businesses of all sizes meet and exceed compliance standards.
With 25 US patents, AudioEye's solution includes 24/7 accessibility monitoring, automated WCAG issue testing and fixes, expert testing, developer tools, and legal protection, empowering organizations to confidently create accessible digital experiences for all.
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