This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
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: 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.
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
Did anyone receive a denial letter anytime?
What? Denial
Never heard from them after submitting my claim form and checks will be mailed soon?…hmmm.
Hey anybody heard anything?? It’s been quiet…
That’s because they gave us a date, we can’t do anything but wait….
Chks will be mailed out on 2/8/19 from Florida
DEADLINES/DATES
January 5, 2018 :
Notice Mailing Date
March 8, 2018 :
Claim Form Receipt Deadline
March 19, 2018 :
Opt Out/Objection Receipt Deadline
April 27, 2018 :
Final Approval Granted
January 10, 2019:
Funding Date for Qualified Settlement Fund
February 8, 2019:
Checks mailed to Class Members
Did you write this or is it posted?
Nevermind its on the website. Thanks
What website
You welcome
The paralegal he emails me with updates checks will be mailed out on the 8th from Florida
First person who received a check or any updates please let us know
Hi. my name is Debbie Perez talk to your people on the phone they said i was accepted do you know when the checks are comming i lost so much money cause of this please let me know.
Feb 8 mailed we she called and asked if we could pick it up
Mailed from Florida on the 8th
So who is Samantha Weaver and how do I contact her? John does not return emails or calls.
I’m confused to why is there 4,100 notices going out? And where you get the 22k figure from? And you said “Administrator has tentatively approved 386 short forms for a flat short form award of $2,000 and
8
254 long forms for ” ummm what’s 8 254 long forms? Thanks
Who is Samantha and can I get the contact info
Thanks Christi
We are getting close yall……
The Claims Administrator mailed out over 4,100 notices. Nine hundred and
thirty-one (931) individuals submitted timely claims, including 354 long forms and 738 short
forms. See Final Class Settlement Mot. at 10 (describing the long and short forms); see also
Suppl. Statement in Supp. of Mot. for Final Approval of Settlement [Dkt. 250] at 1. The Claims
Administrator has tentatively approved 386 short forms for a flat short form award of $2,000 and
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254 long forms for “awards ranging from $2,000 to $40,000 and an average long form award of
$22,389.81.” Id. The short form claims will be paid out first and, if the remaining long form
awards exceed the remaining balance in the Settlement Fund, then the Claims Administrator will
make a pro rata adjustment to the long form awards. See id. at 2.
Happy Holidays to all of you!
update please