Kmart To Pay $13 Million in Settlement

Kmart will pay millions to plaintiffs who fought so the disabled could have easier access to the Big K:

DENVER — Kmart has agreed to a $13 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed over access for disabled shoppers.

It gives the company until 2013 to bring stores nationwide into compliance with federal standards for merchandise, counters, restrooms, fitting rooms and parking lots.

The agreement was filed in federal court in Denver. The lawsuit was brought by three people in 1999.

One of the original plaintiffs said in a statement that the deal “ensures that people with disabilities can shop at Kmart just like anyone else.”

The settlement sets aside $8 million in cash and $5 million in gifts cards. It will be distributed to class-action plaintiffs in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Texas.