Amador, et al. v. Sheriff Leroy D. Baca, etc., et al.
Lynwood Strip Search Settlement
10-CV-1649-SVW

WELCOME TO THE LYNWOOD STRIP SEARCH SETTLEMENT WEBSITE

Update (1/23/24):

The Settlement has been finally approved and became effective on November 3, 2021. The 2022 benefit checks were mailed out on January 21, 2022.

Please be advised that we are no longer able to honor requests for reissuance of first round payments, under any circumstances, as of June 30, 2023.

The second round of payments was mailed to eligible Class Members on July 7, 2023. We are able to accommodate all complete and valid requests for a replacement of a second round check submitted by June 7, 2024.

If you do not cash your second Settlement payment, you will NOT be eligible to receive a third payment under the terms of this Settlement.

Update: Counsel estimates that the third round of payments will be issued in late 2024, however, an exact payment date has not been determined at this time. Please continue to monitor the website for updates.

If you are a Class Member who submitted a complete and approved claim form and have not received a check, please see FAQ 16. Please continue to provide address updates to the Settlement Administrator for future payments (FAQ 17).

If you have any questions about this case, please email the Settlement Administrator at info@LynwoodStripSearch.com.

If you were strip searched at the Century Regional Detention Facility (“CRDF”) located in Lynwood, California between March 5, 2008 and January 31, 2015, you may be entitled to receive money.

What is this lawsuit about?

Amador v. Baca is a class action lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (“LASD” or “County”). It challenges the way LASD performed strip searches at the Century Regional Detention Facility (“CRDF”), located in Lynwood, CA. In 2017, the court found the LASD’s search practices were unconstitutional. The parties have now reached a settlement. The Court approved the settlement on July 20, 2020.

Who is included?

You are a Class Member (part of this case) if you were strip searched in a group, outside in the bus garage, while entering or returning to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department's ("LASD") Lynwood Jail (“CRDF”). The case covers such searches for the period March 5, 2008 to January 31, 2015. Only LASD records will be used to decide who is a class member.

Class members could be entitled to several hundred dollars per search, and thousands of dollars for those searched many times. Anyone who qualifies and filed will get at least $200.

Additional information about the lawsuit and important court documents may be found on the Important Documents and FAQs pages of this website.

 

YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT

Option & Deadline
Event
SUBMIT A CLAIM FORM

Original deadline:
June 4, 2020 (Passed)

Updated deadline:
July 20, 2020 (Passed)

Late claims deadline:
September 9, 2021 (Passed)

On July 20, 2020, the Court held their final approval hearing and amended the June 20, 2020 claim filing deadline to approve payment to Class Members who submitted claims prior to the final approval hearing.

On September 13, 2021 the Court approved payment to Class Members who submitted late claims through September 9, 2021. No further late claims will be approved. 

 

EXCLUDE YOURSELF

June 4, 2020 (Passed) 
This is the only option that allows you to be part of any other lawsuit against LASD about the matters being resolved in this Settlement. But by excluding yourself, you will not receive payment in this Settlement.
OBJECT

June 4, 2020 (Passed)
Ask for an opportunity to tell the Court why you object to the Settlement. You could have objected to any aspect of the settlement, including its substantive terms, the request for attorney’s fees, or any other aspects of the settlement.
ATTEND THE FINAL APPROVAL HEARING

July 20, 2020 (Passed)
The Court held a Final Approval Hearing on July 20, 2020 at 1:30 pm PST. The Court approved the Settlement.
DO NOTHING If you did not return the Claim Form, you will receive no monetary recovery and lose your right to sue LASD over related matters in the future.
 

For More Information

Visit this website often to get the most up-to-date information.

Mail

Lynwood Strip Search Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91070
Seattle, WA 98111