The Black Farmer class action lawsuit revolves around claims by African American farmers that the USDA discriminated based on race which resulted in the farmers being wrongly denied farm loans, did not receive appropriate loan service from the USDA, and other benefits, or giving them loans with unfair terms. The lawsuit claims that this “discrimination” took place between the years of 1981 to 1996. The lawsuit is entitled Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation Settlement (case number, 08-mc-0511) and is in the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. You must file a claim to be part of any type of settlement associated with the BlackFarmerCase. Claim forms will be accepted between November 14, 2011 and end on May 11, 2012. The settlement type depends on which “track” the class member falls into. The tracks are shown below:
Track A – Establishes an expedited claims process that will provide people who file successful claims with a cash payment of up to $50,000, plus a payment to be applied to debt owed (if any) to USDA, plus a tax payment worth 25% of that person’s cash and loan awards.
Track B – Establishes a more rigorous claims process that will allow people who file successful claims an opportunity to receive actual damages up to $250,000
Congress has approved a $1.25 Billion settlement fund. The settlement will include cash payments and reductions or forgiveness of USDA loans for certain Class Members who qualify. You MUST file a claim to be eligible for a settlement. Failure to file a valid claim form before May 11, 2012 will result in a rejected claim form.
“Lead Class Counsel”:
Andrew H. Marks, Esq.
CROWELL & MORING LLP
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20004
Telephone: 202-624-2500
Fax: 202-628-5116 Henry Sanders, Esq.
CHESTNUT, SANDERS, SANDERS,
PETTAWAY & CAMPBELL, LLC
One Union Street
Selma, AL 36701
Telephone: 334-875-9264
Fax: 334-875-9853 Gregorio A. Francis, Esq.
MORGAN & MORGAN, P.A.
20 North Orange Avenue, Suite 1600
Orlando, FL 32801
Telephone: 407-420-1414
