News

7 new ADA lawsuits lodged against Tenn. FIs

August 9, 2013

Plaintiffs from Tennessee and Alabama have filed seven lawsuits against Tennessee financial institutions claiming violations of federally mandated ATM accessibility standards that went into effect on March 15, 2012.

According To CUNA News Now, legally blind complainants Susan Welchly and Ashley Summers allege that seven FIs, including five banks and one credit union lacked proper ATM accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Specifically, the suits allege that the FIs failed to provide Braille and voice guidance facility. The plaintiffs are asking the court to force the FIs to comply with the ADA standards and pay for court costs. Welchly and Summers are both represented by Gilbert Russel McWherter PLC, a firm with offices in Nashville and Jackson, Tenn. 

News Now cited an Aug. 7 Mondaq Business Briefing that said at least 100 similar class action suits are pending nationwide.

Read more about ADA compliance.