The Predatory ADA Lawsuit Machine: How Mizrahi Kroub, Kevin Puckett & Gregory Sconzo Target Small Businesses for Profit
The Rise of Predatory ADA Lawsuits
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a cornerstone law designed to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities, has become a goldmine for opportunistic lawyers. Among the worst offenders are Mizrahi Kroub LLP(formerly Izmirlyan Kroub), Kevin W. Puckett, and Gregory S. Sconzo, who have turned ADA lawsuits into a systematic shakedown of small businesses.
These firms target businesses with vague accusations of non-compliance, often demanding settlements ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. Despite claiming to champion accessibility, their tactics rarely result in meaningful improvements, exposing their actions as exploitative cash grabs.
Mizrahi Kroub: Serial Litigators
Mizrahi Kroub, once known as Izmirlyan Kroub, has led the charge in weaponizing ADA lawsuits. The Wall Street Journal reports that the firm filed over 1,100 website accessibility lawsuits in a single year, using the same boilerplate complaints and a handful of repeat plaintiffs. These lawsuits target small businesses ill-equipped to fight, forcing settlements that often do nothing to improve accessibility.
"They just copy and paste these lawsuits," said one business owner. "They don’t care about accessibility; they care about their bank accounts."
Kevin W. Puckett and Gregory S. Sconzo: The Next Wave of Predators
Building on the model pioneered by Mizrahi Kroub, Kevin W. Puckett and Gregory S. Sconzo have joined the fray with their own flavor of ADA exploitation. Known for sending dozens of demand letters weekly, their firm preys on small businesses with threats of litigation over supposed violations of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
The hypocrisy? Despite demanding strict adherence to WCAG standards, the websites of Puckett & Sconzo, P.A. and their ADA Legal Team fail to meet many of the same criteria. Automated scans reveal missing alt-text, poor color contrast, and inaccessible forms.
"It’s infuriating," said one founder. "They sue us for things their own websites fail to fix. It’s not about justice; it’s about money."
an audit of the website of Gregory S. Sconzo ; source: ADA Compliance Pros
Victims Speak Out: The Real Cost of Legal Extortion
For small business owners, facing a demand letter from Kevin W. Puckett and Gregory S. Sconzo feels like stepping into a trap. Here are a few stories:
The Founder:
"We settled with Mizrahi Kroub for $5,000 because fighting wasn’t worth it. Now Puckett and Sconzo are after us for the same website. It’s clear they’re not helping anyone but themselves."The Team Member:
"We’re constantly trying to improve our site’s accessibility, but they’re not interested in fixes. They want settlements. It’s demoralizing to be targeted for something we’re actively working on."Another Business Owner:
"Their letter demanded $40,000. Fighting it would’ve cost more, so we paid $25,000 to settle. It’s crushing for a small business like ours. These lawyers are predators, not advocates."
rapid growth in specious litigation for ADA cases; source: AccessiBe
ADA Lawsuits: A Systemic Scam
The numbers are damning. ADA lawsuits have increased 320% since 2013, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform. There was a massive increase in 2018 (177%). And, in 2020 alone, 85% of web accessibility lawsuits were concentrated in California, New York, and Florida, with many filed by the same firms using identical templates.
Mizrahi Kroub, Kevin W. Puckett, and Gregory S. Sconzo are at the forefront of this trend, filing lawsuits faster than businesses can respond. These cases disproportionately target small businesses, which lack the resources to mount a defense. The math is fairly straightforward – they want to rattle small businesses; ask for $75,000 for settlement, and ultimately settle for $5,000 to $10,000 as quickly as possible. It’s a funnel – a scam at scale.
The Hypocrisy of Accessibility Advocates
The hypocrisy of these lawyers extends beyond their websites. Their lawsuits rarely lead to better accessibility. Instead, settlements line their pockets while leaving websites unchanged.
"We want to make our site accessible," said a victimized founder. "But these lawyers don’t want solutions; they want payouts."
This pattern undermines the ADA’s original intent and erodes trust in the legal system.
Call to Action: What You Should Do If Targeted by ADA Predators
Share Your Story to Build Collective Action
If you’ve been targeted by Kevin W. Puckett, Gregory S. Sconzo, or similar firms, share your experience. Email me at jamesgriffincole@gmail.com or leave a comment below. Together, we can pool resources, identify patterns, and explore larger-scale legal or media actions to push back against this exploitation.Consult a Knowledgeable Attorney Immediately
Not all lawyers are equipped to deal with ADA claims, especially the predatory variety. Seek out attorneys with experience defending against ADA website lawsuits, as they’ll be familiar with the tactics these firms use and can advise on the most cost-effective way to respond.Conduct a Quick Accessibility Audit of Your Website
Before responding to any legal notice, run your website through free or low-cost accessibility auditing tools (e.g., WAVE or Lighthouse). This will help you identify specific issues and understand the legitimacy of the claim. Address obvious fixes, like missing alt-text or poor contrast, to bolster your case.Demand Specificity in Their Claims
Predatory lawyers often send vague, boilerplate demand letters. Push back by requesting a detailed explanation of the alleged violations, the plaintiff’s specific experiences, and their intent to use your website. This can expose the weaknesses in their case or deter them from pursuing it further.Don’t Panic, and Don’t Pay Immediately
Settling quickly might seem like the easiest option, but it feeds the system. Many of these firms rely on businesses caving under pressure. Weigh the cost of settlement versus fighting carefully, but know that standing firm can sometimes discourage further action.
By following these steps, small business owners can begin to take back power from exploitative firms while building momentum for collective resistance. These lawsuits are designed to isolate and intimidate, but together, we can shine a spotlight on this predatory behavior and make it unprofitable for those who abuse the ADA.
Conclusion: Holding the Predators Accountable
Predatory ADA lawsuits from firms like Kevin W. Puckett’s and Gregory S. Sconzo’s weaponize a law designed for inclusivity, turning it into a tool for exploitation. Small businesses, like my friend’s, are being targeted not to improve accessibility but to line the pockets of opportunistic lawyers.
But you don’t have to face this alone. Sharing your story, seeking expert advice, and taking proactive steps to secure your digital platforms are powerful ways to fight back. This is not just a legal battle; it’s about protecting the livelihoods of entrepreneurs and the communities they serve.
The best way to defeat these predatory tactics is collective action. If you’ve been a victim, reach out, share your experience, and join the push to expose these practices. Together, we can fight back against the extortionate misuse of the ADA and ensure its spirit—true accessibility—is upheld.