Top Class Actions  |  December 12, 2019

Category: Closed Class Actions

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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!

arrested woman forced to be strip searched at the century regional detention facility in california

UPDATE 7:

  • This class action settlement is paying out $451 in a second round of payments.

UPDATE 6:

  • Readers reported this settlement paying out more than $400 as of Jan. 26, 2022.
  • Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got PAID!

UPDATE 5:

  • The settlement will become effective Nov. 3, 2021.
  • First payments are expected to be issued in two to three months.
  • Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

UPDATE 4:

  • According to the settlement website, the Supreme Court petition will not be decided until October 2021 or later.
  • Settlement payments will remain on hold until the petition for review is resolved.

UPDATE 3:

  • On May 13, 2021, an objector filed a petition seeking review of the settlement by the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • The settlement will not become effective until after the review request is decided.
  • Top Class Actions will continue to provide case updates as they become available.

UPDATE 2:

  • On Sept. 10, 2020, an appeal to the L.A. Women’s Jail Strip Search Class Action Settlement was filed.
  • 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:

  • The L.A. Women’s Jail Strip Search Class Action Settlement was granted final approval Aug. 11, 2020.
  • Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

The County of Los Angeles has agreed to pay a total of $53 million to settle class action allegations that women inmates were subject to degrading strip searches while entering or returning to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, Calif.

The settlement represents the largest payout in the county’s history.

The Lynwood strip search settlement website notes that Class Members include those who were subjected to a strip search in a group outside of the bus garage while entering or returning from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Lynwood Jail between March 5, 2008 and Jan. 31, 2015. 

Lead plaintiffs claimed that thousands of inmates were subjected to unnecessary and violating strip searches. Plaintiff Jessica Almaraz alleged that she was strip searched a total of five times during her time at the Sheriff Department’s Century Regional Detention Facility.

According to the female inmates, women were often strip searched in groups. They say that they were forced to take off their clothes and be invasively strip searched in front of other women. Allegedly, deputies degraded them and yelled profanity during these searches.

The plaintiffs claim that this treatment violated their Fourth Amendment rights.

Eligible Class Members will be able to receive at least $200 for one strip search, while those who experienced numerous strip searches are likely to end up with thousands of dollars.

Inmates must complete and return a Claim Form to receive monetary recovery. According to the strip search class action, qualifying individuals should have received a Claim Form in the mail. Class Members may also compete a Claim Form online. 

Class Members can exclude themselves from the settlement, or object to it by June 4, 2020. Those who excluded themselves from the settlement retain their right to pursue independent litigation over the strip searches, but waive their rights to claim benefits from this settlement.

Former inmates who do nothing will receive no benefits, and waive their rights to pursue independent litigation. 

Class Members can also attend the final approval hearing on July 20, 2020, in which a judge will decide whether or not the settlement will be approved.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals who were subjected to a strip search in a group outside of the bus garage while entering or returning from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Lynwood Jail between March 5, 2008 and Jan. 31, 2015. 

Potential Award

At least $200 and up to thousands of dollars.

No Class Member who files a claim will receive less than $200 (for one search under the least bad conditions). Persons with the highest number of searches – up to 50 – will likely receive thousands of dollars.

Proof of Purchase

N/A

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

6/4/2020

Case Name

Mary Amador, et al. v. Sheriff Leroy D. Baca, et al., Case No. 2:10-cv-01649-SVW-JEM, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

7/20/2020

Settlement Website
Claims Administrator

Lynwood Strip Search Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91070
Seattle, WA 98111
info@LynwoodStripSearch.com
1-855-233-1237

Class Counsel

Barrett S. Litt
Lindsay Battles
KAYE McLAN BEDNARSKI & LITT

DONALD COOK ATTORNEY AT LAW

Colleen Flynn
LAW OFFICES OF COLLEEN FLYNN

Cynthia Anderson-Barker
LAW OFFICES OF CYNTHIA ANDERSON-BARKER

Defense Counsel

Andrew Baum
GLASER WEIL

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330 thoughts onL.A. Women’s Jail Strip Search Class Action Settlement

  1. Cm says:

    It is now July 20th and I still have not received my payment. I’m in southern California like most. Why have I not received it yet. I was told it was sent out on or about the 7th of July. Tomorrow will make it two weeks. It’s frustrating

  2. Me says:

    I got my second check coming in the mail. Be patient.

    1. Carol says:

      Mine too! Hope it’s more than I think 🙂

      1. Me says:

        Mines was delivered and I got it in my hand. We get the third one next year next year it says and that will be the final one

      2. C and says:

        I still have not received my payment yet. Has anyone else still not gotten their payment as of yet?

    2. Camille says:

      I got my second check but it was way less then what said we would get same as first payout? Why?

  3. Julielod says:

    This is crazy now they say on the 13 of July and after there going to say before year ends..crazy

    1. Zmay says:

      It still says July 7th

    2. Tiffany Sarah White says:

      Whos says the 13th ? The website still says the 7th

  4. Robin Goodall says:

    I got my first check last year in April,I am waiting on this check and it is taking forever.I be glad if they come on July 7th.

  5. Curtis Watts says:

    It’s Crazy Because I Been Locked Up Numerous Times Since The Wait. Nd STILL ONLY RECEIVED ONE CHECK. Where’s THE DINERO BRO LYNWOOD COUNTY CAN SUCK MY DICK. But THE LAWYERS I KNOW THEY TOOK ALL THE MONEY THATS WHY WE NOT RECEIVING SHIT I DESERVE MORE THEN “1,800” instagram: CeeJay.thatone if anyone wanna Link up N do ur own LAW SUE

    1. Merryman says:

      You was locked up because of yourself. You not getting a check because you was in jail delulu. Them strip searches was degrading. Be grateful

  6. Veronica says:

    Come on since January they needed to send it and then may then June and now July this is ridiculous. And they say they need to calculate…..calculate what if that was supposedly done in the beginning. It’s not like everyone who didn’t cash their checks means more money for everyone else. So explain that to me calculate what?

    1. Roberta duarte says:

      They say for one strip search you will receive at least 200$, I know I was searched more then once,I removed less then 200 in 2022.

  7. Candace says:

    Counsel estimates that the second round of payments will be issued by the end of June 2023, however, we do not have an exact payment date determined at this time. As soon as we have an update on the timing of issuance of second round checks, we will post an update to the home page of the Settlement Website. Note that the Court held a hearing on May 22, 2023 to approve the costs and net fund for the second round of distribution but has not made a decision yet.

    We are unable to issue second payments early under any circumstances. You will be eligible for a second payment under this Settlement if you cashed your first payment, which will be mailed via check to the address that we have on file for you. Please remember to update your address in the future.

    For more information on this Settlement, please visit http://www.LynwoodStripSearch.com

    Regards,

    1. Ash says:

      It now says July 7th they will be mailed

  8. Angela Randolph-Watson says:

    I received my first check of 634$ from being detained 2008 with 15 searches although I’m grateful they acknowledged the wrong that was done to us but to get a 53 million suit judgement and to receive this was shocking I was humiliated 15 times from there records and still after all these years have ptsd yet the attorneys got 18 million 😬 I do agree they did a great job but sheesh something doesn’t add up. And reading the documents a large portion goes to charities to help jail service etc yeah I should have went to court lol. Thank u it was an unplanned surprise and extra income is always great 😊

    1. Curtis watts says:

      I’m mad I was Locked up!!! I WOULD HAVE WENT AND STILL MIGHT GO. I was in there for 8months!! Goin Back N Forth 2 Court

  9. Tijuana Lenoir says:

    i received first however; we would be mailed the additional payments two more consecutive yers with january 2022, 2023 and 2024. They are also paying me for 1 strip search. Returning from court. How do we go a top notch up. I begining to feel they used us.

    1. Ash says:

      It says end of June now, We will see if they keep pushing it back or if we receive anything

  10. Lorraine Nava says:

    Why can’t we get paid? Lynwood has delayed four times.

    1. Ash N says:

      Hey There. So I have the same questions..and it’s crazy, I have emailed and called numerous times without anyone responding to my questions! It seems to me that LA COUNTY or whom or whatever either does not have the money or does not want to pay us!! I cannot believe the payment date has changed 3 times without anyone even consulting any of us first! This is such crap! Our settlement agreement clearly states a payment plan ordered/signed by a judge and these people are just able to do as they please. I think it’s bull crap and I don’t like feeling helpless as if nobody can or is willing to MAKE them pay us like NOW!!!

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