Vanessa Bryant has provided closure to a difficult chapter of her life. After the tragic helicopter crash that took Kobe, Gianna, and seven others in January 2020, Vanessa reached an agreement with Los Angeles County regarding photos from the scene. She can now move forward on her journey toward healing and remembrance of those who were lost.
Compensation Paid to Vanessa
ET announced Tuesday that Los Angeles County had reached an agreement to award Vanessa Bryant and her three daughters a total of $28 million .
Who Else is Compensated?
The compensation of $28 million is on top of the jury’s earlier decision to grant them and co-plaintiff Christopher Chester $15 million each.
Long Overdue Settlement
On Tuesday, Vanessa Bryant’s attorney declared an end to the battle for justice on behalf of her late husband and daughter, who were tragically taken in a devastating crash. The loss was felt by so many across their beloved community.
What did Vanessa’s Lawyer Say?
Vanessa’s lawyers said, “Today marks the 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 families were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice.”
Why Did Vanessa Sue?
Vanessa took legal action against L.A county’s fire and sheriff’s departments after discovering that some of their employees had spread disturbing images from a horrific accident without her permission, showing negligence and disregarding her right to privacy.
The Outcome of the Trial
After a two-year legal battle, Bryant won his case in August 2022, with the jury awarding him $16 million.
Was the Settlement Amount Reduced?
Unfortunately, that settlement amount of $16 million was later reduced by one million dollars due to an unfortunate clerical error.
What Do the Court Documents Say?
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has reached an agreement with the Bryant family, settling Vanessa and her daughters’ lawsuit for a total of $28.85 million – as revealed by court documents obtained Tuesday by ET.
In the Words of Trial Counsel
Mira Hashmall, L.A. County’s lead trial counsel in the landmark Bryant-Chester case, declared the settlement “fair and reasonable,” signifying that justice has been served for those involved; she also expressed her wishes for peace of mind to accompany this closure as a healing process should begin for all who were affected by such tragic events.
The Earlier Verdict by Federal Jury
A federal jury has awarded a hefty settlement of $28,850,000 to resolve all legal claims pending in state court. This marks the end of an extensive two-year battle to reach justice.
Are There Any Future Claims Settled?
To ensure the financial security of Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s children, negotiators have come to an amicable agreement that divides up a generous settlement amount. Not only will this cover all current claims but also future ones; each party is in charge of their respective lawyers’ fees as well.
Does it Conclude Complete Litigation?
It marks the conclusion of all the County-related litigations. We hope that Ms. Bryant and her family can continue to move forward with their healing process following the devastating helicopter crash in January 2020.
Vanessa’s Instagram
After her victorious trial in August, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram with a spectacular photo of herself alongside Kobe and Gianna. Alongside the image was an emotional caption expressing love for them both while also calling out their triumphant justice – it’s clear that this moment held special significance on Mamba Day 8•24•22. #BetOnYourself.
Verdict Award to Charity
The jury’s conclusion in Vanessa Bryant’s case brought a sense of justice and closure, as celebrated by her lawyer disclosing plans to donate part of the settlement to Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation – honoring Kobe & Gianna.
What is this Foundation?
The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation is providing hope to disadvantaged youth through the legacies of Kobe and Gianna Bryant. This incredible nonprofit offers young athletes from all walks of life opportunities to pursue their dreams without limits.
A Decisive Step
Vanessa Bryant has taken decisive action to seek justice and hold people accountable – even though the legal system doesn’t offer her a means to do so by introducing new policies, enhanced training, or disciplining officers.
Who’s Negligent?
Despite her tireless work, Mrs. Bryant has uncovered the shockingly poor performance of both sheriff’s and fire departments in regard to necessary safety measures – so much so that she granted amnesty to those responsible for these failures.
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Vanessa – Stood Resolutely
Vanessa staunchly stood her ground against the county’s attempts to infringe upon her rights, refusing their order for an unfair psychiatric evaluation.
Moving Forward
With her desire for inner tranquility, Vanessa now hopes that the closure surrounding these tragic events would start recovery and healing for those affected.
