The four-year long saga of Aranda, et al. v. Caribbean Cruise Line, Inc., et al. looks like it will finally be coming to an end. The plaintiffs, which include approximately 1 million individuals who received calls from Caribbean Cruise Line and its subsidiary marketing companies between August 2011 and August 2012, may receive a record $76 million for their TCPA claims.
Earlier this month, Eric Troutman wrote an epic blog entry on Judge Kennelly’s order denying the cruise companies’ Motion to Decertify Class based on Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, 136 S. Ct. 1540 (2016). For those of you who haven’t read Eric’s article, I highly recommend it – you will not be disappointed.
On the heels of the court’s decision, just last Thursday the parties informed Judge Kennelly that they had reached a settlement . The deal was reached two days before trial was set to begin. Although a memorandum of understanding has not been signed yet, the deal is estimated to cost the cruise companies’ between $56 million and $76 million. If the maximum $76 million is paid, it will be the highest TCPA settlement in history.
Judge Kennelly ordered the executed settlement agreement and Motion for Preliminary Approval be submitted no later than September 26, 2016.