Hundreds seek payouts in lawsuit over Caltrans homeless camp sweeps

[TexasTowelie]

Hundreds of homeless people who lost bicycles, tents and even their loved ones’ ashes when Caltrans cleared their East Bay encampments are applying for restitution as part of a multimillion-dollar legal settlement.

Advocates hope that by reaching so many people, the fund will be a step toward protecting the property rights of unhoused residents in the future. But plaintiffs’ lawyers worry they aren’t finding everyone eligible for a payout and say it remains to be seen whether the settlement will lead to long-term changes.

Caltrans agreed in February to pay $5.5 million to settle claims that the agency illegally removed and destroyed the belongings of homeless residents camped on its land — including $1.3 million directly to the people affected. Since then, more than 720 people potentially eligible for payouts have contacted the lawyers on the case, and the legal team has completed at least 300 claims.

“We’re engaged in this monumental process trying to get compensation to all these homeless people,” said attorney Osha Neumann of the East Bay Community Law Center, who represents the homeless plaintiffs in Sanchez v. Caltrans. “I think it’s unprecedented. I’ve never heard of anything similar happening.”

Read more: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/10/20/hundreds-seek-payouts-in-lawsuit-over-caltrans-homeless-camp-sweeps/

[MichMan]

1. Where is the other $4.2 million going ?

If the homeless are only getting 1.3 million out of the 5.5 million?

[TexasTowelie]

2. I suspect that the lawyers are going to get 25% to 33% of the settlement.

Some of the settlement money will also go to the people going out to locate other people and tell them how to submit claims. There also could be some claimants for business disruption. That shouldn't account for $4.2 million though.

[MichMan]

3. I'm sure they need it much more than the homeless do.