United States v. City of New York
FDNY Employment Discrimination Case

Important Information about the Claims Process

In April 2012, the Court ordered the claims process to begin in United States v. City of New York. On May 4, 2012, the City mailed notice and claim form documents to all black and Hispanic applicants who took Written Exam 7029 (first administered in 1999) and/or Written Exam 2043 (first administered in 2002). All black and Hispanic applicants who took either or both of these exams were required to return a claim form by June 18, 2012, in order to be considered for individual relief. Eligible claimants may receive relief awards, including:

• Cash awards of back pay to make up for wages and benefits lost due to discrimination
• Consideration for a job offer to become an FDNY firefighter (must meet all current minimum job qualifications, except the age requirement)
• Seniority to current FDNY firefighters and those hired as a result of this lawsuit
• Black applicants may also receive compensatory damages (which are separate from back pay) under certain conditions

All individuals who submitted a claim form should have received a letter in November 2012, stating whether the United States has preliminarily determined that they are eligible for relief. Individuals who submitted a claim form but did not receive a letter in November 2012 should contact the United States.

If you submitted a claim form, the court-appointed Special Masters will examine your eligibility for relief on a rolling basis. The Special Masters will inform you of their recommendation by summer 2013. If you receive a letter attaching the Special Master's Report and Recommendation to the Court regarding your eligibility for relief, you have a limited time if you wish to object. Return your objection form by the deadline indicated in the letter from the Special Master.

Click here to download a form to object to the Special Master's Report and Recommendation.

Important: Update your contact information

If you have already submitted a claim form in this case and your contact information has changed since you submitted the claim form, please provide your updated contact information here.

Please do not contact the court for information about this case.