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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit over allegations of racial discrimination in the employee background checks it used.
If you are an African American who failed WMATA’s background screening on or after Feb. 23, 2012 and were denied employment or terminated by WMATA or a WMATA contractor, suffering loss of employment or pay as a result, you may be entitled to compensation from the D.C. Metro class action settlement.
According to the D.C. Metro class action lawsuit, WMATA adopted a criminal background screening policy in December 2011 that allegedly adversely and disproportionately affected African Americans. The plaintiffs claim that WMATA’s background check policy violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
WMATA denies the allegations and maintains that its background check policy was not discriminatory. However, it has agreed to settle the D.C. Metro discrimination class action lawsuit to avoid the burden and expense of further litigation.
In addition to providing cash payments to eligible claimants, WMATA has also agreed to change its background check policies for at least one year.
Class Members who would like to opt out of or object to the D.C. Metro discrimination class action settlement must do so no later than March 19, 2018.
Approximately 1,000 Class Members may be eligible for benefits from this D.C. Metro class action settlement.
Who’s Eligible
Class Members of the D.C. Metro discrimination class action lawsuit include African American individuals who were, at any time on or after Feb. 23, 2012:
- Denied employment with WMATA, or were terminated or suspended from your position with WMATA, because you failed a background screening and Appendix A or C of the background screening policy; or
- Denied employment with a WMATA contractor or subcontractor, or were terminated or suspended from your position with a WMATA contractor or subcontractor, because you failed a background screening under Appendix C of the background screening policy; or
- Denied employment with a WMATA contractor or subcontractor, or were terminated or suspended from your position with a WMATA contractor or subcontractor, because you failed a background screening under Appendix F of the background screening policy.
NOTE: To qualify as a Class Member, you must have suffered a loss of earnings, employment or other damage as a result of the failed background screening.
Potential Award
$2,000 (estimated).
Class Members who submit short form claims will receive a flat payment that is estimated at $2,000. If you believe you suffered more than $2,000 in lost wages, you may submit a long form claim with documentation that supports a class action settlement payment of more than $2,000.
Proof of Purchase
Class Members must provide a Form W-9 and confirm that they:
- Are African American;
- Failed the WMATA background screening policy; and
- Were denied employment, terminated, or suspended by WMATA or a WMATA contractor.
If you submit a long form claim seeking damages of more than $2,000, you must provide supporting documentation.
Claim Form
NOTE:Â 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
3/8/2018
Case Name
Erick Little, et al. v. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, et al., Case No. 1:14-cv-01289-RMC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Final Hearing
4/18/2018
UPDATE: The D.C. Metro Employment Discrimination Class Action Settlement was granted final approval on April 27, 2018. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
UPDATE 2: On May 2, 2018, an appeal to the D.C. Metro Employment Discrimination Class Action Settlement. Claims will not be paid until all appeals are exhausted. We appreciate your ongoing patience. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.Â
UPDATE 3 September 18, 2018: According to the settlement administrator, the settlement has been affirmed by the court of appeals. There is now a waiting period to see if a petition is filed to the Supreme Court. The next update will be on December 10, 2018.
Settlement Website
www.WMATAClassAction.com
Claims Administrator
Settlement Services Inc.
P.O. Box 10643
Tallahassee, FL 32302-2643
Class Counsel
John A. Freedman
Phone: (202) 942-5000
[email protected]
ARNOLD & PORTER KAYE SCHOLER LLP
Matthew Handley
Dennis A. Corkery
WASHINGTON LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Rachel M. Kleinman
Ajmel A. Quereshi
NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATIONAL FUND INC.
Defense Counsel
Kathleen Kraft
THOMPSON COBURN LLP
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232 thoughts onD.C. Metro Employment Discrimination Class Action Settlement
Gigi,
did your husband file a long form or short? I reached out to the admin today I was told to call back tomorrow to see have they receive respond back from admin.so yall wish me good luck.
I crunched some numbers and if you go by whats in the memorandum and you take 2 million off the top for lawyers, etc….. the long forms if each one received the same payment would equal to approx 15k….
I filed a short form how do I know whether my claim is approved or not?where can I read up on this info? Thanks
I understand that completely….I was just thrown off by the numbers because of what’s in the memorandum. Did you find it?
Maybe its just me, but I think this is going to get drawn out longer than we expect. I hope I’m wrong…..
In the memorandum it states how many long and short forms were filed and I think it stated that the average long form will be 22k
This site won’t allow me to post the link but it’s on courtlistener. Com under little vs wmata memorandum opinion
Also, thats avg settlement, every long form is not going to get that.
In the memorandum it says 386 short and 254 long forms where did you get your number from?
If you go with the 738 and 354 long forms would get 8500
Christi, are you postive about thr numbet of applications fuled?
Lol about errors
All of the disbursement details are in the settlement agreement, but they should be getting all that taken care of. They know the case is done…
No Gigi, wish I did. There are some details but nothing as far as being able to calculate your part if you filed a long form.
First Marchelle, it’s Mike…lol and I am just doing as much research as possible because I need that check and it’s been a group effort by all of us. Hopefully Mr. Pendegrass will not file and will notify counsel so we don’t have to wait, but he has filed with the Supreme Court before and been denied. I think he may be a little salty…. I don’t know why he pulled out of the settlement, but it seems like a very bad decision.
Why dude dnt just take the money and gone on bout his life?? What does he think he’s gonna get a 100,000? Not!! Smh
Nope…. I check this site everyday and US Supreme Court…. anxiously waiting just like you all…..
If he files avg time for a decision to hear it or dismiss is 6 weeks
If he filed it can be rejected but avg time is 6 weeks.
If anyone wants to connect im Michael Benjamin on facebook
Thanks Mr. Benjamin, for always keeping us updated.