Kobe Bryant’s Wife Wins Lawsuit of $16Million

The spouses who lost their loved ones in the January 26, 2020 helicopter crash were awarded $31 million in a lawsuit on Wednesday.

NBA all-star Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, Sarah Chester, her daughter Payton, and 6 other people all died in the crash.

Vanessa Bryant, wife of Kobe Bryant and mother of Gianna, along with Christopher Chester, husband of Sarah and father of Payton, sued the sheriff’s department and fire department in September 2020.

The lawsuit accused the departments of exploiting photos taken of the bodies at the scene. Bryant and Chester say their civil rights were violated and were seeking compensation for pain and suffering.

Around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, a Los Angeles jury ruled in their favor and awarded a total of $31 million to be paid. Vanessa Bryant is due $16 million, $10 million from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and $6 million from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Chester was awarded $15 million, $9 million from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and $6 million from the the Los Angeles County Fire Department.