Case: United States v. Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation

2:21-cv-19849 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Filed Date: Nov. 9, 2021

Closed Date: May 10, 2024

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Case Summary

On November 9, 2021, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The lawsuit originated from two charges filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The first charge was filed on September 23, 2014, by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the union that represented PATH employees who were responsible for testing and…

On November 9, 2021, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a complaint against the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The lawsuit originated from two charges filed with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The first charge was filed on September 23, 2014, by the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, the union that represented PATH employees who were responsible for testing and maintaining its railroad signaling equipment. The second charge was filed on December 31, 2014, by a signal repairman who served as the Union’s representative to PATH. The charges and the resultant Complaint alleged that PATH subjected its employees to unlawful medical examinations and inquiries in violation of Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008. The Complaint sought damages for employees and injunctive and declaratory relief.

The next day, Judge Kevin McNulty entered a consent decree. The consent decree ordered that PATH stop unnecessary medical exams, as well as unnecessary questions about employees’ disabilities, health conditions and family medical history. PATH was also required to pay two employees damages of $50,000 each, train its staff on the ADA and GINA, and periodically report on its compliance with the agreement. The Decree provided that it would terminate, and this action would be dismissed, thirty months from its effective date. Therefore, the consent decree automatically terminated and the case was dismissed in May 2024.

Summary Authors

Marisa London (3/18/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60825730/parties/united-states-v-port-authority-trans-hudson-corporation/


Judge(s)

McNulty, Kevin (New Jersey)

Attorney for Plaintiff

CAMPION, MICHAEL E. (New Jersey)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:21-cv-19849

Complaint

Nov. 9, 2021

Nov. 9, 2021

Complaint
4

2:21-cv-19849

Consent Decree

Nov. 10, 2021

Nov. 10, 2021

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60825730/united-states-v-port-authority-trans-hudson-corporation/

Last updated Aug. 19, 2025, 2:52 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against PORT AUTHORITY TRANS-HUDSON CORPORATION, filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(CAMPION, MICHAEL) (Entered: 11/09/2021)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Nov. 9, 2021

Nov. 9, 2021

RECAP

Case reassigned to Judge Kevin McNulty and Magistrate Judge James B. Clark. (jr)

Nov. 9, 2021

Nov. 9, 2021

PACER
2

Letter from counsel for the United States attaching a proposed consent order. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Consent Decree)(CAMPION, MICHAEL) (Entered: 11/09/2021)

Nov. 9, 2021

Nov. 9, 2021

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Nov. 9, 2021

Nov. 9, 2021

PACER
3

SUMMONS ISSUED as to PORT AUTHORITY TRANS-HUDSON CORPORATION. Attached is the official court Summons, please fill out Defendant and Plaintiffs attorney information and serve. (jc, ) (Entered: 11/10/2021)

Nov. 10, 2021

Nov. 10, 2021

PACER
4

CONSENT DECREE. Signed by Judge Kevin McNulty on 11/10/2021. (nic, ) (Entered: 11/10/2021)

Nov. 10, 2021

Nov. 10, 2021

RECAP
5

TEXT ORDER: This action is administratively terminated. The court will retain jurisdiction. Dismissal will automatically become final, by the terms of the consent decree, 30 months from today. Signed by Judge Kevin McNulty on 11/10/2021. (nic, ) (Entered: 11/10/2021)

Nov. 10, 2021

Nov. 10, 2021

PACER

~Util - Set/Clear Flags AND Order of Dismissal

Nov. 11, 2021

Nov. 11, 2021

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: New Jersey

Case Type(s):

Disability Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 9, 2021

Closing Date: May 10, 2024

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States on behalf of complainants - Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (the PATH employees' union) and the employee who serves as the Union’s representative to PATH

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation, State

Defendant Type(s):

Transportation

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Declaratory Judgment

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Training

Amount Defendant Pays: 100,000

Order Duration: 2021 - 2024

Issues

General/Misc.:

Testing

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Medical Exam / Inquiry

Testing

Discrimination Basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits