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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: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
John.Freedman@APKS.com
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
I did not post that, we have a real jerk on this site! I will contact the website admin.
Omg people are sick really making fake comments.
Checks mailed from Florida so I highly doubt if one person received theirs today.
Right that’s what I said ? maybe tomorrow or Friday
I agree. They were just mailed yesterday.
No checks today they probably won’t come to Friday or Saturday
I don’t understand I was told to do this short phone because I didn’t miss any work because I didn’t quit my job when they offered me the job
I’m confused now. How are people getting checks and at the same time there was supposedly a motion to dismiss?
Congratulations ….#ENJOY
Anyone receive a check yet?
Are you located within the DMV area?
Damn I should’ve filled out the long form.
Okay question did you receive it by regular mail or they put it at your door first class
You are for real? I thought they said the max was 23000, even though in the letter they sent to us said the max was 40K or two years the difference from what you could have earned and your actual earnings. I thought too many people applied and the maximum was 23000 for a long form. You are for real? A lot of people put fake stuff up. Hope you are telling the truth!
I don’t believe it…..
Not true.
It was not, and we’ve deleted the comments and banned the viewer from commenting. Thank you.
Is the Motion to Dismiss real
Sam Weaver just emailed that they did file a motion to dismiss. Top Class Action what exactly was not correct about the post that was deleted?
Someone prtending to be a claims administrator was wrong a just like.a good impersonator they mixed in facts with lies.
What were the lies it looked like everything that was in the post is in the Motion? Have you read the Motion from Samantha Weaver? And it looks like you posted the same information weeks ago @mikeben?
The misleading part was that every l9ng form member would receive the same ammount.
Can you provide the actual attorney names please?
Why did you delete a post and not say what the lies were if any? It appears the truth hurts from my reading and other people has posted the same numbers this guy just backed it up with proof?
It clearly states avg long form payment. That does not meam each person will receive that amount. Please don’t share false information.
Fields anton@yahoo
It wont allow me to put my email on here????? Mb jazzy 10 g ma il
Ok thanks