Dodger Stadium security sued for $17 million for racial profiling, excessive force

A family of Dodgers fans is not happy about an incident that occurred during Game 5 of Los Angeles' NLDS series against the Washington Nationals in 2019, and now the fans are suing.

The family members are seeking $17 million in damages over claims they were racially profiled and treated with excessive force by the team's security personnel, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez.

The suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday and claims the Verdin family was called "gang bangers" and "thugs" while being assaulted by members of Dodgers security despite being innocent bystanders near another fan acting irrationally.

In a news release, the family's attorney, Peter diDonato, says Dodger Stadium security attacked the Verdins, a Latino family, without cause due to racial profiling. The family is seeking $7 million for assault, battery, false imprisonment, infliction of emotional distress and violation of federal civil rights. The Verdins are also suing for an additional $10 million for punitive damages, according to the release.

The suit claims Daniel Verdin was placed in a chokehold and struck multiple times while his brother was pinned to the ground with an officer's knee on his neck. Javier and Jamie Verdin were also thrown to the grown and struck multiple times.

This isn't the first time diDonato has filed a lawsuit against Dodger Stadium security either. A fan sued in 2019 for a lack of security, and three other suits in the past 14 months are still pending litigation.