Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail Mass Search Settlement

Who is covered by this settlement?

• You must have been incarcerated in Men’s Central Jail unit 2500 or 2700 on September 7, 2021 and have been subjected to the mass search incident.
• A person who meets those conditions is part of the settlement class unless they opt out.

How do I ask for a payment?

• Eligible people must submit a completed claim form to receive money.
• The notice says a form may be submitted online, or downloaded and mailed to the Settlement Administrator.
• The deadline to submit a claim form is March 2, 2027.

Does the notice require proof or other documents with a claim?

• The notice requires a completed claim form.
• It does not say whether you must include documents to prove eligibility or any other supporting information. The notice does not provide further claim-form instructions.

How is the payment amount determined?

• Los Angeles County agreed to place $1.5 million in the settlement fund.
• Timely claimants receive equal shares calculated after administration costs, approved incentive awards, and attorneys’ fees and costs are paid from that fund.
• The notice says each payment will be at least $5,000. It does not state an individual payment amount beyond that minimum.

When would payments be made?

• The settlement is still proposed. Payments will be made only if the Court approves it.
• The final approval hearing is scheduled for 10:00 AM on April 26, 2027, at the Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez United States Courthouse in Los Angeles.
• The notice does not give a date when approved payments will be sent.

What does opting out mean?

• You can leave the settlement by completing the opt-out form included with the notice and mailing it by March 2, 2027.
• If you opt out, you will not receive a settlement payment and cannot object to the settlement.
• You will not be bound by the lawsuit and may be able to bring your own case about these issues. The notice also says you cannot exclude yourself from the proposed program changes.

How can I object to the settlement?

• You may object if you remain in the settlement. An objection does not prevent you from submitting a claim form.
• Send a signed letter that is postmarked by March 2, 2027. It must include the case name and number, your contact information, your reasons for objecting, and whether you or your lawyer plan to attend the final approval hearing.
• The notice directs people to mail the letter to both the Settlement Administrator and the U.S. District Court.

What if I do nothing?

• You will not receive money if you do nothing.
• You will still be bound by the settlement and its release. A release means you give up the ability to start, continue, or join another lawsuit against Los Angeles County over the issues in this case.

What happens to money left after claims are handled?

• If money remains after the claims process, it will go to a nonprofit human-rights organization focused on sexual abuse in detention.
• The notice does not identify the organization by name.