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This settlement is closed!
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Amtrak has agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged some of the transportation company’s stations aren’t compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The settlement benefits mobility-impaired individuals who were harmed due to accessibility issues at certain Amtrak stations between July 27, 2013, and Dec. 2, 2020. Claimants must also have lived at, visited, or wanted to visit a location closer to that station than an accessible, alternative Amtrak station during the same period.
Amtrak operates at about 500 stations in 46 states and the District of Columbia. A list of the stations covered by this ADA violations settlement is available on the settlement website.
The lawsuit, filed by the United States government, alleged Amtrak failed to make existing stations accessible to individuals with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs, as dictated by U.S. Department of Transportation standards, resulting in ADA violations.
The U.S. claimed these ADA violations harmed Amtrak passengers who have disabilities.
Amtrak has denied the allegations and claims it is committed to making accommodations for those with disabilities.
Both parties agreed it was in everyone’s best interest — including the public’s — that the matter be resolved through a settlement.
In addition to monetary relief, Amtrak also has agreed to take several steps to ensure stations are all up to ADA standards.
When the company builds a new station or alters an existing station, it will ensure the station is accessible to and usable by people who have disabilities.
Amtrak also has agreed to continue expanding the existing ADA Stations Program, including a rolling five-year strategic plan and a Sunset Analysis for the program.
The company will also complete ADA assessments for the stations affected by the settlement at which Amtrak is responsible, either fully or in part, by Dec. 31, 2022.
A number of other agreements related to avoiding ADA violations at Amtrak stations are also included in the settlement.
Compensation for Class Members will be in two tiers — one for claimants who lived closer to an “Issue Station” than a different Amtrak station, and one for those who traveled or were deterred from traveling to an “Issue Station” — and will be determined using a point system.
Compensation for claimants who are part of Tier 1 will be three times the amount for Tier 2 claimants (i.e., three points versus one point). No claimant will be entitled to more than three points.
The claims administrator will tally the points and determine the preliminary dollar amount per point by dividing the $2.25 million settlement fund amount by the number of total points.
If that preliminary point value is not more than $833.33, the preliminary point value will become the final point value. If it does exceed $833.33, the final point value will be reduced to $833.33.
Tier 1 claimants will receive the final point value multiplied by three, while Tier 2 claimants will receive an amount equal to the final point value.
Any remaining balance will be returned to Amtrak to be used for improvements under the ADA Stations Program.
The deadline to file a claim in the Amtrak ADA violations settlement is May 29, 2021.
Who’s Eligible
Mobility-impaired individuals who were harmed due to accessibility issues at certain Amtrak stations between July 27, 2013, and Dec. 2, 2020. Claimants must also have lived at, visited, or wanted to visit a location closer to that station than an accessible, alternative Amtrak station during the same period.
Potential Award
Varies.
Compensation for Class Members will be in two tiers — one for claimants who lived closer to an “Issue Station” than a different Amtrak station, and one for those who traveled or were deterred from traveling to an “Issue Station” — and will be determined using a point system.
- Compensation for claimants who are part of Tier 1 will be three times the amount for Tier 2 claimants (i.e., three points versus one point). No claimant will be entitled to more than three points.
- The claims administrator will tally the points and determine the preliminary dollar amount per point by dividing the $2.25 million settlement fund amount by the number of total points.
- If that preliminary point value is not more than $833.33, the preliminary point value will become the final point value. If it does exceed $833.33, the final point value will be reduced to $833.33.
- Tier 1 claimants will receive the final point value multiplied by three, while Tier 2 claimants will receive an amount equal to the final point value.
Proof of Purchase
Proof of purchase is not necessary in this settlement, but claimants are asked to file a claim form that includes residency and disability information. Documentation of the difficulties the claimant encountered when attempting to travel at one of the relevant Amtrak stations is encouraged if available, but not required.
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
05/29/2021
Case Name
United States of America v. The National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak), Case No. 1:20-cv-03505 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Final Hearing
N/A
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Amtrak Disability Settlement
C/O Rust Consulting Inc. – 7156
P.O. Box 54
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0054
1-888-334-6165
Fax: 1-866-665-8480
Info@amtrakdisabilitysettlement.com
Class Counsel
Michael R. Sherwin
Acting U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia
Daniel F. Van Horn
Chief, Civil Division
John C. Truong
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Eric S. Drieband
Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Cynthia M. McKnight
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division
Rebecca B. Bond
Chief
Kathleen P. Wolfe
Special Litigation Counsel
Kevin J. Kijewski
Deputy Chief, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division
David W. Knight
Felicia L. Sadler
Trial attorneys, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Defense Counsel
N/A
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
354 thoughts onAmtrak Agrees to $2.25M Settlement Over Alleged ADA Violations
I received a phone call from the settlement yesterday but I wasn’t home at the time, so by the time I got home they were closed, and they won’t reopen for customer service till Monday. I was just wondering if anyone else got a phone call and was able to speak to them. I will be calling back first thing Monday morning, but in the meantime, I was just curious what it might be about.
Any update?
I am still trying o get ahold of them. I have tried 4 times, keep getting put on hold but no one ever answers, just elevator music. Will keep trying
I finally got through and the guy said he didn’t see any notes as to why they would have called me Go figure.
Where did you hear that checks go out in August?
Anyone hear anything yet?
It is gonna be awhile. Claim form deadline was just May 29th. They have just begun going through the claims.
Does any one know how we will get paid this whole point thing makes my head spin. I also heard checks go out in August
Where did you hear that checks go out in August?
I called them. Does any one understand the points system?
Anyone get their check? I have a piece of mail from them coming today per Informed Delivery but was curious if anyone got it yet?
Did you find out anything yet?
what did u do
I got the deficiency form. I filled it out and mailed it back. I guess we will see what happens now. I just put a short answer about the obstacle I faced. I’ll comment again once something else happens.
I received the same deficiency form via email. I replied back via email also, just waiting for a response.
I got the same deficiency email, and I just responded in an email to the lawsuit administrator. I didn’t see where there was an actual form to fill out
what was the dead line to respond back?
I believe it was June 25
add me also please
add me also please
Please add me. When I try to file I get redirected and it won’t let me access.
Please add me I am disabled and this happened to me that’s why I do not get on the train no more because they treat you different when you’re disabled so you can you please add me to this one
Add me.
Please add me to this class action against AMTRAK case 1:20-cv-03505. Thanks !