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The family of the late Kobe Bryant has agreed to a $28.5 million US settlement with Los Angeles County to settle the remaining claims in a lawsuit against deputies and firefighters who showed gruesome photos of the NBA star, his 13-year-old daughter and other victims who died. in the 2020 helicopter crash, lawyers and court filings said Tuesday.
That figure includes a newly agreed payment from the county of $13.5 million along with $15 million a federal jury awarded Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, at the trial in August.
The agreement resolves future claims by Bryant’s three surviving daughters, issues related to state litigation, and other costs. The proposed settlement order, which must be approved by a judge, was filed Tuesday in federal court.
Mira Hashmall, an attorney representing LA County, called the plea “fair and reasonable” adding, “I hope Ms. Bryant and her children continue to heal from their loss.”
Kobe Bryant, former Lakers star, five-time NBA champion and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, was traveling with Gianna and seven others to a youth basketball game when the helicopter he was in crashed into a hill in Calabasas west of Los Angeles on January 26, 2020.
Deputies and firefighters who responded to the crash scene took phone photos of the bodies and debris, which Hashmall said during the trial was an important part of assessing the situation.
But the images were shared, mostly among county sheriff’s and fire department employees, including some playing video games and attending awards parties. He was also seen by several couples and in one case by a bartender at a bar where the deputy was drinking.
Li told the jury that the close-up photos had no official or investigative purpose, and were merely “visual rumors” shared out of curiosity.
Hashmall insisted that the sheriff acted quickly and appropriately when he ordered the photo removed.
Vanessa Bryant tearfully testified during the 11-day trial that the news of the photo deepened the grief that was still raw a month after losing her husband and daughter, and that she still had panic attacks at the thought that she and her children were still there. maybe one day see someone online.
The verdict for him was wrongly read as $16 million in court, but was later changed to $15 million.
Federal safety officials blamed pilot error for the crash.
Chris Chester, Vanessa Bryant’s co-plaintiff in the trial, was also awarded $15 million in the trial, and reached his own settlement with the county in September for nearly another $5 million.
WATCH Vanessa Bryant’s tribute to Kobe, Gianna:
Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa, honored her husband and daughter Gianna during a celebration of life events.
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