LA County Settles With Vanessa Bryant for $28.5 Million

Los Angeles County has agreed to a final settlement with the family of Kobe Bryant over claims that emergency responders took and shared grisly photos from at the helicopter crash scene. The January 26, 2020 crash killed nine people including Bryant and his 13 year-old daughter.

Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, filed suit alleging violations of the Fourteenth Amendment under 42 USC §1983, negligence, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Last summer, a federal jury awarded Ms. Bryant, $15 million in damages.

In an effort to resolve any remaining claims and avoid further litigation, the county has agreed to pay $28.5 million to settle all claims with the Bryants. According to CNN, Bryant’s attorney, Luis Li, issued a statement saying:

• 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.

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