A recent federal court decision that found Taco Bell in violation of federal and state laws protecting the rights of customers who use wheelchairs or scooters should motivate restaurant operators to comply with access rules, attorneys say.

Observers expect the Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell to appeal the Oct. 5 ruling in the class-action case. A spokesman for the company declined to comment.

However, sanctions against Taco Bell are still pending and could potentially total millions of dollars under California law.

Filed in 2002, the lawsuit alleges that more than 200 Taco Bell restaurants in California had numerous barriers for access to customers who use wheelchairs and scooters, violating the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and state law.

According to the lawsuit, Taco Bell’s service lines and doorways were too narrow, and doors were hard to open. The restrooms and parking areas were deemed inaccessible, as were some seating areas and the condiment counter, along with other violations.

Taco Bell has argued that most of the violations have been fixed.

Still, U.S. District Court judge Phyllis Hamilton allowed the case to continue, in part because of Taco Bell’s “pattern of past violations.”