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Individuals held at Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail who experienced a mass search on Sept. 7, 2021, may be eligible to claim at least $5,000 from a class action settlement.
The County of Los Angeles agreed to pay $1,500,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it conducted improper mass searches and strip searches of inmates in specific units of the Men’s Central Jail on Sept. 7, 2021.
Who is eligible for a settlement payout?
Class members must meet the following criteria:
- Los Angeles County incarcerated them at the Men’s Central Jail.
- Los Angeles County housed them in either Unit 2500 or Unit 2700.
- They were present on Sept. 7, 2021.
- Los Angeles County subjected them to a mass search incident that included a visual body cavity inspection.
How much can class members get?
Cash payment: Eligible class members will receive an equal share of the net settlement. The estimated payment per eligible class member is at least $5,000.
How to claim a class action payment
To claim payment, class members can file a claim online or download and print the PDF claim form to complete and mail to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: LA County MCJ Mass Search Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799
The claim deadline is March 2, 2027.
Required information
To file an online claim, eligible class members must provide the LoginID and PIN from the settlement notice they received.
Payment options
- Zelle
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Prepaid card
- Physical check
$1.5 million settlement fund
The $1,500,000 settlement fund covers:
- Settlement administration costs: $30,000 (estimated)
- Attorneys' fees: Up to $500,000
- Attorneys' expenses: Amount not specified
- Service awards to class representatives: $10,000 for each plaintiff ($30,000 total)
- Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund
Important dates
- Deadline to file a claim: March 2, 2027
- Final approval hearing: April 26, 2027
When is the settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court grants final approval of the settlement.
Why is there a class action settlement?
The class action lawsuit alleges the County of Los Angeles conducted improper mass strip searches, including visual body cavity inspections, and required inmates to remain nude and restrained during transport at the Los Angeles Men’s Central Jail on Sept. 7, 2021.
The County of Los Angeles denies any wrongdoing but agreed to a settlement to avoid the costs and risks of a trial.
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