The family of the late Kobe Bryant has reached a settlement with Los Angeles County for the sum of $28.5 million. The figure includes a payment from the county of $13.5 million and the $15 million awarded to Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, in August by a federal jury.
At the trial, Vanessa Bryant tearfully described the anguish of learning that news photographers had taken pictures of the fatal crash site and distributed them. The accident occurred just one month prior, and Vanessa was still coping with the tragedy of losing her husband and daughter.
As was reported by the Associated Press, employees of the county sheriff’s and fire departments allegedly shared pictures of the tragic crash’s aftermath with people not involved with the situation, including spouses and even a bartender.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the crash was caused by the pilot’s error. The court also awarded Vanessa’s co-plaintiff Chris Chester $15 million. Chester later settled with the county in September for an additional $5 million.
The settlement between the county and the Bryant family seeks to bring closure to a tragedy that shook many.
