Vanessa Bryant, wife of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, has won her lawsuit against Los Angeles County and was awarded $16 million.
After three hours of deliberation, a jury of 10 decided that Kobe’s widow has suffered and will continue to suffer knowing that photos of her husband and 13-year old daughter’s bodies at the helicopter crash site were shared.
Co-plantiff Christopher Chester, who also lost a spouse and daughter in the crash, was awarded $15 million.
Following the verdict, Vanessa posted a picture of her, Kobe and their daughter Gianna Bryant with a caption: “All for you! I love you! JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi!”
“This case has always been about accountability,” her attorney Luis Li said in a statement. “And now the jury has unanimously spoken.”
The federal jury found both the Sheriff’s and Fire Departments lacked proper policies and training which caused the violation of rights.
During the trial, it was revealed that photos were taken by L.A. County deputies and firefighters that included not just wreckage from the helicopter, but the mangled bodies of those killed including Kobe, his daughter Gianna, Christopher’s wife Sarah, his daughter Payton and five others.
Bryant and Chester argued that the photos of their loved ones caused emotional distress and violated their privacy. Each testified to living in fear the photos may surface, despite L.A. County’s assertion each picture had been destroyed.
Jurors listened to 11 days worth of graphic testimony.
In September 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an invasion-of-privacy bill called the “Kobe Bryant Act” that makes it illegal for first responders to share photos of a dead person at a crime scene “for any purpose other than an official law enforcement purpose.” The misdemeanor crime is punishable by up to $1,000 per violation.
The planitiffs initially was asking for $75 million but awarded a combined $31 million.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the January 2020 crash was caused by pilot error. They stated the helicopter pilot pushed the limits of bad weather flying rules before he crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California.
Coincidentally, the verdict was announced on “Mamba Day,” in other words “Kobe Bryant Day.” August 24 honors the Los Angeles Lakers star’s two jersey numbers, 8 and 24, that he wore during his NBA career. The Lakers have retired both numbers.
