Filed Date: Dec. 2, 2020
Case Ongoing
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On December 2, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint against the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (“Amtrak”) for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131-12165, by failing to make its intercity rail stations accessible to individuals with disabilities by July 26, 2020, as required by the Act. The government sought to enjoin Amtrak from discriminating on the basis of disability and require the company to comply with the ADA. The government also sought compensatory damages for disabled individuals who had been harmed by Amtrak’s inaccessible stations.
The case was not docketed or assigned to a judge, however, because the government reached a settlement with Amtrak on the same day it filed its complaint. The settlement agreement required Amtrak to design at least 135 accessible stations, finish construction at 90 stations, and be in the process of constructing at least 45 stations within 10 years of the settlement date. The agreement also required Amtrak to train staff on ADA compliance and to establish a monitor-approved process for managing ADA complaints. Pursuant to these obligations, Amtrak created the Office of the Vice President of Stations, Properties, and Accessibility.
Amtrak also created a $2.25 million settlement fund to compensate mobility-impaired individuals who traveled or attempted to travel at Amtrak’s 78 most inaccessible stations. On January 12, 2022, the DOJ announced that Amtrak had paid over $2 million to more than 1,500 individuals who experienced disability discrimination while traveling or attempting to travel by train. The settlement was monitored by the Federal Railroad Administration and the Department of Justice.
Summary Authors
Becca Rogers (12/24/2020)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18712473/parties/case-number-not-used/
Bond, Rebecca B. (District of Columbia)
Dreiband, Eric S. (District of Columbia)
Kijewski, Kevin J. (District of Columbia)
Knight, David W. (District of Columbia)
McKnight, Cynthia M. (District of Columbia)
Bond, Rebecca B. (District of Columbia)
Dreiband, Eric S. (District of Columbia)
Kijewski, Kevin J. (District of Columbia)
Knight, David W. (District of Columbia)
McKnight, Cynthia M. (District of Columbia)
Sadler, Felicia L. (District of Columbia)
Sherwin, Michael R. (District of Columbia)
Truong, John Cuong (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18712473/case-number-not-used/
Last updated Feb. 17, 2024, 3:03 a.m.
State / Territory: District of Columbia
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: Dec. 2, 2020
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
The National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak), None
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Available Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Amount Defendant Pays: $2,250,000
Issues
General:
Access to public accommodations - governmental
Disability and Disability Rights:
Discrimination-basis: