DoDEA Class Action

January 2026 Update – Newly Issued Claim Forms to Certain Potential Class Members

The Agency’s September 2024 mailing of Claim Forms omitted thousands of potential Class Members. So the Agency issued a new mailing on January 9, 2026 to potential Class Members who were left out of the 2024 mailing.

If you received the 2024 Claim Form mailing, there is no action available to you at this time. If you submitted a Claim Form, it is in process with the Claims Administrator.  You do NOT need to take any action if you previously submitted a Claim Form.

The January 2026 mailing was issued by first-class U.S. mail. If you receive the January 2026 mailing, the deadline to submit a Claim Form for a settlement award is March 25, 2026. 

You can access the Claim Form at https://www.dodeaclaim.com. A Claim Form can be submitted in one of three ways:

1. on the website https://www.dodeaclaim.com

2. by email to the Administrative Suppport Contractor at claims@ssc1.com

3. by mail to: Sterile Services Co. (SSC), 143 Rollins Ave #2025, Rockville, MD 20847

Please be aware that new USPS policies regarding postmarks mean that the postmark no longer shows the date the mail is received by USPS as has been standard practice, but instead shows the date on which the mail was processed.  If you are filing near the March 25, 2026 deadline, we recommend that you either file your claim form by electronic means (email or through the website) OR if you need to send it by mail you can either (1) send it by certified mail or registered mail (which would show the date which would give you a dated receipt), or (2) you may go inside the post office and get a free manual hand-stamp (proving the drop-off date). 

Under the Settlement Agreement and the Distribution Formula, once Claim Forms are submitted, the Claims Administrator is tasked with computing the number of points to be allotted to each class member who submits a claim. The Agency will then issue a written notice to each class member who submitted a claim, noting the number of points (if any) that have been assigned to the class member. Class members will have a chance to seek corrections of any miscalculations of points.

After all of the point totals have been calculated, corrected, and finalized, the Claims Administrator will be able to determine the monetary value of each point. Individual awards will then be determined by multiplying the number of points by the monetary value of a point. Awards can then be distributed to class members by the Agency.

Unfortunately, Class Members who submitted Claim Forms in 2024 will have to wait for the claims process to be conducted in connection with the January 2026 mailing before awards can be issued. We share your frustration with the delays with the settlement process.

We do not have an estimate on when the awards will be issued or the value of a point. Once we have more information from the Claims Administrator and the Agency on the anticipated timeline, we will post updates on this website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I submitted a claim and have a claim number, do I need to do anything?
A. You do not need to do anything at this time. The next step in the process for you is for the Administrative Support Contractor to send out a notification to you about your eligibility for an award and, if eligible, your point allocation. Once you receive that letter, you can submit a correction if needed. We do not know when those eligibility/point allocation letters will be sent out, but it will be at some point after March 2026.

Q. I previously submitted a claim, but do not have a claim number. How do I find out my claim number?
A. You can contact the Administrative Support Contractor at claims@ssc1.com or 202-579-8908 to obtain your claim number.

Q. I never received the mailing the first time, am I on the new mailing list? Do I need to submit a claim now?
A. If you did not previously receive a Claim Form and Release, you should submit a Claim Form and Release now. If you do not receive the Claim Form and Release by mail in January 2026, you should also submit an explanation as to why you are submitting the Claim Form and Release at this point in time. You can email any such explanation the Administrative Support Contractor at claims@ssc1.com along with your claim form. An explanation only needs to be submitted if you did not submit a claim form in 2024 AND did not receive the Claim Form and Release by mail in 2026. If you receive the Claim Form and Release by mail in 2026, you may just submit it without explanation.

Q. I did not receive a Claim Form and Release in 2024, but I previously submitted a claim because I learned about it through other means. Do I need to re-submit my claim form if I get on in the mail.
A. No. If you submitted a claim previously, you do not need to take any action. You can contact the Administrative Support Contractor to get your claim number if you don’t have one already.

Q. Do I need to submit any documents to support my claim?
A. No. The only claimants that need to provide documentation is a claimant filing on behalf of someone who is deceased or incapacitated. The only documents that are needed in that situation is a document showing that the person making the claim is the legal representative of the estate/decedent or incapacitated party.

Q. I have questions about how to complete the form. What do I do?
A. Contact our firm at: DoDEAclassaction@katorparks.com or 202-898-4800.

November 2024 Update – Claim Forms DUE!

Claim Forms for the Settlement are due by December 9, 2024.You can access the Claim Form by clicking HERE or at https://www.dodeaclaim.com or by clicking here. A Claim Form can be submitted in one of three ways:

1. on the website https://www.dodeaclaim.com
2. by email to the Claims Administrator at claims@ssc1.com
3. by mail to: Sterile Services Co. (SSC), 143 Rollins Ave #2025, Rockville, MD 20847

Under the Settlement Agreement and the Distribution Formula, once Claim Forms are submitted, the Claims Administrator is tasked with computing the number of points to be allotted to each class member who submits a claim. The Agency will then issue a written notice to each class member who submitted a claim, noting the number of points (if any) that have been assigned to the class member. Class members will have a chance to seek corrections of any miscalculations of points.

After all of the point totals have been calculated, corrected, and finalized, the Claims Administrator and the Agency will be able to determine the monetary value of each point. Individual awards will then be determined by multiplying the number of points by the monetary value of a point. Awards can then be distributed to class members by the Agency.

We do not have an estimate on when the awards will be issued or the value of a point. Once we have more information from the Claims Administrator and the Agency on the anticipated timeline, we will post updates on this website.

If you have any questions about completing the Claim Form, your eligibility to submit a claim in this case, what claim fits your personal situation, or for any other legal advice about this case, please contact Class Counsel, the attorneys representing the Class Members in this case at: DoDEAclassaction@katorparks.com or 202-898-4800.

If you have any questions about whether your Proof of Claim was received or the status of the Proof of Claim process, please contact the Claims Administrator at: claims@ssc1.com or 202-579-8908

CLAIM FORMS for Settlement Due by December 9, 2024

CLAIM FORM is available here.

Claim Forms for the Settlement have been issued by DoDEA. You can also access the Claim Form at https://www.dodeaclaim.com or by clicking here. A Claim Form can be submitted in one of three ways:

1. on the website https://www.dodeaclaim.com
2. by email to the Claims Administrator at claims@ssc1.com
3. by mail to: Sterile Services Co. (SSC), 143 Rollins Ave #2025, Rockville, MD 20847

Claim Forms must be submitted to the Claims Administrator on or before December 9, 2024.

If you have any questions about completing the Claim Form, your eligibility to submit a claim in this case, what claim fits your personal situation, or for any other legal advice about this case, please contact Class Counsel, the attorneys representing the Class Members in this case at: DoDEAclassaction@katorparks.com or 202-898-4800.

If you have any questions about whether your Proof of Claim was received or the status of the Proof of Claim process, please contact the Claims Administrator at: claims@ssc1.com or 202-579-8908

Settlement Agreement Approved by EEOC

On June 5, 2024, the EEOC granted final approval to the Settlement Agreement in the DoDEA class action. Under the Settlement Agreement, DoDEA will pay up to $7,713,000 to pay Class Member claims, attorney fees, and all costs associated with the administration of the settlement. DoDEA is required to issue a Proof of Claim and Release form to be completed by Class Members seeking relief. We will provide updates and additional information on this webpage as the settlement award process moves forward.

Settlement Reached in DoDEA Class Action

Class Action Claims

The Class alleged that from March 11, 2002, through December 31, 2009, the Agency used a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form that contained a mandatory general release of medical information that was overly broad, in violation the Rehabilitation Act.

The Settlement Agreement provides resolution of that class action, including monetary relief to Class Members who were allegedly harmed by this alleged violation.

Settlement Agreement

After years of litigation, in full settlement of all Class Members’ claims, the Agency has agreed to commit up to $7,713,000 to pay all claims to members of the Class, agreed upon attorney’s fees, and all costs associated with the administration of the settlement.

Click here to see the Settlement Agreement.

Click here to see the Distribution Formula.

Who Is Eligible for a Settlement Award?

Every Class Member may submit a claim for a Settlement Award.

A Class Member is a current or former employee of DoDEA, who, between March 11, 2002, and December 31, 2009:

(1) requested a reasonable accommodation for a disability and were required to complete the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form;

(2) because of the medical records release requirements of the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form, did not request a reasonable accommodation for a disability;  –or–

(3) requested a reasonable accommodation for a disability but refused to complete the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form as presented and did not receive the requested reasonable accommodation.

How Are the Shares of the Settlement Fund Determined?

There is a Distribution Formula that considers different factors in determining a Class Member’s share of the Settlement fund.

Click here to see the Distribution Formula.

Under the Distribution Formula, the monetary value of an individual Class Member’s Settlement award cannot be determined until after claims are submitted and the formula is applied.

 

2015: EEOC Certifies the Class

On September 9, 2015, the EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations granted certification of a class complaint involving employees at the Department of Defense Education Activity.  The Class action complaint alleges that the DoDEA Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form, in use from 2002 until approximately 2009, sought excessive personal medical information from every employee seeking a reasonable accommodation, in violation of the Rehabilitation Act.  As every DoDEA employee requesting a reasonable accommodation was required to complete the Form, the Class includes every current and former DoDEA employee during the time period 2002 to 2009 who had to complete or completed the Form.

Background

Class Agent Regina McKiernan filed an individual EEO complaint in May 2008. Ms. McKiernan had objected to completing the Agency’s Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form due to the  Form’s requirement that excessive personal medical information and an overly broad release of medical records be provided. During discovery in her case, Ms. McKiernan uncovered information that the Agency had implemented world-wide, mandatory use of the Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form, which she alleges violates the Rehabilitation Act.  In 2009, after discovering this information, Ms. McKiernan notified the Commission and the Agency that she wished to convert her individual complaint regarding the Form to a class complaint.

On July 9, 2010, the EEOC Administrative Judge issued a Denial of Class Certification.  An appeal was filed with the EEOC Office of Federal Operations.  On September 9, 2015, the EEOC OFO issued an order reversing the AJ’s decision and certifying the Class.

How to Contact Class Counsel

Email Class Counsel at DoDEAclassaction@katorparks.com