Federal court filing data has shown thousands of web accessibility lawsuits filed annually in the U.S. for several years running, concentrated heavily in a handful of states (California and New York consistently the highest) and industries (retail, restaurants, and hospitality among the most frequently targeted).
Most cases settle rather than go to trial, with settlements typically requiring a defined remediation plan and timeline alongside a monetary payment. Because there is no accepted “safe harbor” certification that guarantees immunity, genuine WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA conformance, verified through real testing rather than an overlay or self-assessment, remains the most reliable way to reduce this risk.