According to DisabilityScoop.com, the U.S. Department of Justice is increasing fines for violators of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The website reported that it would be the first time that the DOJ has increased fines for ADA violations in 10 years. The maximum civil penalty for a violation will now be $75,000, when restaurants, movie theaters, schools and other businesses open to the public fail to be accessible and accommodate people with disabilities.
For subsequent offenses, the fine will jump to $150,000 from a prior cap of $110,000, DisabilityScoop.com reported. The new penalties will apply to violations that occurred after April 27, 2014. The website reported that the new penalties take into account changes in inflation since the figures were last set in 1999.
I Have Been to Places That Have Violated ADA Guidelines. Am I Eligible For Disability Benefits?
For information about how to file an ADA violation, you can visit the ADA’s website. All people should have a right to access a facility peacefully, and all establishments should make meeting ADA guidelines a priority.
It should be noted that many children or adults who struggle with basic public accommodations are eligible to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. In order to obtain benefits, a person may be required to schedule a consultative examination with a doctor.
He or she must also show that employment is not possible because of a disability. Additionally, a person must have earned worked credits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses two different tests, the “Duration of Work Test” and the “Recent Work Test”, which take into account how long you have worked, as well as how recently, in order to determine whether you qualify for disability benefits and how much you may be compensated.
If you suffer from a disability that leaves you unable to work, we suggest contacting a Tulsa Social Security disability attorney to see if you may be eligible for benefits. We offer free evaluations of your case, and you may reach us by phone at (918) 265-1404.
Troutman & Troutman, P.C. – Tulsa Social Security disability attorneys
Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/04/16/feds-stiffer-ada-penalties/19286/
