New York City DOC Strip Search Settlement (Lewis v. City of New York)

Yes — the New York City DOC Strip Search Settlement (Lewis v. City of New York) settlement is a real claims process that SettleSignal tracks from its official source. It is administered by Verita (Verita Global). File only through the official settlement website (nystripsearchsettlement.com); a genuine settlement administrator never charges a fee to file. SettleSignal last checked this record against the official source on September 5, 2026. Always confirm the current details on the official site before filing.

Any individual in New York City Department of Correction (DOC) custody who was strip searched upon arrival at the Manhattan Court Division after having been strip searched prior to departing Rikers Island for court during the Class Period. Class Period: March 28, 2020 – February 29, 2024 for individuals classified as Enhanced Security by DOC; October 1, 2022 – February 29, 2024 for all other individuals. Excludes those who previously settled such claims, certain plaintiffs represented by Oddo and Babat before Judge D. Kaplan, and those barred by a valid release with the City.

Pro rata cash from a $28,000,000 Distribution Amount; each claimant's share is the number of times they were strip searched (upon arrival at Manhattan Court Division after already being strip searched before leaving Rikers) divided by the total such searches by all claimants. Attorneys' fees, service awards, and administrative costs are NOT deducted from the $28,000,000. The exact amount you may receive is decided by the settlement administrator based on your valid claim and is not guaranteed; a total settlement-fund figure is shared among all eligible claimants, not paid to each person.

The claim deadline is November 26, 2026. Confirm the current deadline on the official settlement source before filing.

Proof requirement: No. The settlement administrator determines what documentation, if any, is required.

No payment stage is reported for this record yet. Class-action payouts typically begin only after final approval and any appeals. See our payout timeline guide.

The official claim form is hosted by the settlement administrator, Verita (Verita Global). Use the 'Open official claim form' button on this page — never pay a fee to file.

The City of New York has agreed to pay a total of $28,000,000 in Settlement Class Member Payments, $37,500 to each of the Class Representatives Raymond Lewis and Frederick Ortiz, and $500,000 in Administrative Costs. The $28,000,000 Distribution Amount will pay all Class Member claims, and court-approved attorneys' fees and costs, service awards, and administrative costs will not be deducted from it.

If you are a Class Member, you may file a claim to receive payment. The total distribution amount is allocated pro rata among Class Members who submit valid and timely Claim Forms. Each claimant's share is the number of times they were strip searched upon arrival at Manhattan Court Division after already being strip searched before leaving Rikers, divided by the total number of such searches by all claimants.

You must file a Claim Form (online or by mail) postmarked no later than November 26, 2026, and establish your identity by providing your name and, if known, your NYSID and/or book and case number, Social Security or Tax ID Number, date of birth, and Department Identification Number/Facility if currently in New York State custody.

The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing at 10:00 a.m. on January 29, 2027 at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY. Settlement payments are distributed after the Settlement is approved and becomes final.