Vanessa Bryant was awarded $16 million (est. R269 million) as part of a $31 million (est. R522 million) jury verdict on Wednesday, 24 August 2022, against the Los Angeles County.
She sued the LA County for emotional damage over photos shared of her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter, Gianna after they died in a helicopter crash.
Vanessa Bryant wins lawsuit: Here’s what we know
According to The Guardian, jurors who delivered the unanimous verdict concurred with Vanessa that Los Angeles deputies and firefighters violated her privacy and caused her emotional distress. This comes after authorities took and shared photos of Kobe, his 13-year-old daughter, and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash.
Chris Chester, a co-plaintiff with Vanessa, who lost his wife and daughter in the accident, received a separate $15 million (est. R252 million) settlement.
Members of the LA County sheriffs and fire departments mainly shared the pictures with each other and their spouses. The photos were shared occasionally in the context of amusement.
In her emotional testimony during the 11-day trial, Bryant described that the pictures added to her grief one month after the deaths of her husband and daughter. She added that she continued to experience panic attacks when she considered that they might still be in the world.
The jury reached their decision on Kobe Bryant Day. Observed in Los Angeles on 24 August in honour of his jersey numbers, 8 and 24. This week, Kobe would have turned 44.
Although Chester’s attorney suggested guidelines that would have translated to tens of millions of dollars for each plaintiff, Bryant’s attorneys did not provide jurors with an amount they believed their client deserved.
The jury deliberated for four hours before reaching a decision.
The County agreed to pay $2.5 million (R42 million) in November 2021 for the emotional distress. Still, Bryant refused to accept the settlement.
Kobe, a five-time NBA champion, was travelling with Gianna and seven others to a youth basketball game when the helicopter they were aboard crashed into hills in Calabasas, Los Angeles, on 26 January 2020. Federal safety officials blamed pilot error for the crash.