Vanessa Bryant settles Kobe Bryant crash photos suit for $43 million

Vanessa Bryant settles Kobe Bryant crash photos suit for  million
Vanessa Bryant has reached an almost $43 million (US$29m) settlement with Los Angeles County to settle a lawsuit over images that have been taken on the helicopter crash that killed her husband, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, her daughter Gianna Bryant and 7 others.

“Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs. Bryant’s courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct,” Luis Li, an legal professional representing Bryant, stated in an announcement to CNN.

Vanessa Bryant, the widow of Kobe Bryant, leaves a federal courthouse in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. Kobe Bryant's widow is taking her lawsuit against the Los Angeles County sheriff's and fire departments to a federal jury, seeking compensation for photos deputies shared of the remains of the NBA star, his daughter and seven others killed in a helicopter crash in 2020. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Vanessa Bryant has reached a $29 million settlement over grotesque images of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, basketball star Kobe Bryant. (AP)

“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 finish to this follow.”

The settlement comes after a federal jury in August 2022 found the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s and Fire departments liable for infringing on the constitutional rights of Bryant and her co-plaintiff Christopher Chester for taking and sharing gruesome photos of the January 2020 helicopter crash that left nine people dead.

The photos included not just wreckage of the helicopter but close-up images of the mangled bodies of those killed.

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 the county’s assertion the pictures had been destroyed.

Bryant testified to living in fear the photos may surface, despite the county’s assertion the pictures had been destroyed. (Supplied)

Mira Hashmall, lead trial counsel for Los Angeles County, called the settlement “truthful and affordable.”

“The $28,850,000 settlement contains the decision awarded by the federal jury in August 2022, and additional resolves all excellent points associated to pending authorized claims in state courtroom, future claims by the Bryant youngsters, and different prices, with every occasion accountable for its respective attorneys’ charges,” Hashmall said in a statement.

Bianka Bella Bryant, and Capri Kobe Bryant, the youngest daughters of the Bryant household, have been named within the lawsuit, together with their mom.

Source: www.9news.com.au