The Los Angeles Lakers’ late legend Kobe Bryant died in a tragic helicopter accident along with his 14-year-old daughter on January 26, 2020, leaving his wife Vanessa Bryant with three other children alone.
Following the horrific crash, the media got a handful of unfiltered pictures of the crash site, which became viral afterward. Due to this immoral and insensitive incident, Vanessa Bryant filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County for mishandling the pictures.
After more than three years, the court finally delivered a ruling over the lawsuit yesterday.
What is the court ruling regarding Kobe Bryant’s crash site’s graphic image?
Due to first responders’ mishandling of the crash site’s image, which delivered disrespect for the victims and put mental pressure on the deceased’s family members, the late NBA superstar’s wife sued the county of Los Angeles.
Vanessa won in court, and the county of Los Angeles was ordered to pay her around $30 million in punitive damages.
Breaking News: Los Angeles County agreed to pay Vanessa Bryant and her daughters nearly $30 million to settle a lawsuit and potential claims over the sharing of graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe and Gianna Bryant in January 2020. https://t.co/LaJrmeo1Zq
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 1, 2023
With the victory and a huge settlement, the 40-year-old finally got some solace in her mind after she experienced enormous negativity and trauma following her husband’s demise.
What did the lawyer say regarding the case?
The Bryant family lawyer released a statement on behalf of the family: “Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct.”
“She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice,” the lawyer Luis Li concluded.
The settlement includes the $15 million judgment from the county after a two-week civil jury trial. The Bryant family had to observe and revisit the moment of the five-time NBA champion’s death as the shared pictures resurfaced from time to time.
