Miranda v. Alaska Longline, LLC
Feb 28, 2017OUTCOME: $1.85 Million Settlement
The anti-Mexican immigrant racial harassment lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington resulted in a public Apology and $1.85 Million settlement. Miranda, a former crewmember on a 155 ... -foot Alaskan fishing vessel on the Bering Sea finalized his settlement in a race harassment lawsuit against his former employer, Alaska Longline, LLC. The case was scheduled for a jury trial in May 2017. Mr. Francisco Miranda, a U.S. Citizen of Mexican National Origin, testified that the captain of the ship targeted him and other crewmembers based on their race and Mexican heritage. The Captain openly announced his animus towards Mexican immigration and the Hispanic crew. The settlement came after a new company took over the management of Alaska Longline and reviewed the substantial evidence of racial harassment uncovered in the federal lawsuit. It immediately began efforts to address the issues raised in the lawsuit and to properly compensate Mr. Miranda. The Company tried to provide closure and justice for Mr. Miranda by accepting an earlier settlement offer from Mr. Miranda’s attorney, but its insurance company refused to accept this settlement and end the litigation. Accordingly, Alaska Longline entered into an agreement with Mr. Miranda, in which it allowed judgment to be taken against it and assigned its rights against its insurance company to Mr. Miranda so that he could pursue insurance proceeds. The insurance company ultimately agreed to settle the case for $1.85 Million.