Amtrak Agrees to $2.25M Settlement Over Alleged ADA Violations

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

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

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

AmtrakDisabilitySettlement.com

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

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