Family of late basketball star Kobe Bryant awarded nearly $29 million in photos case

Widow Vanessa sued Los Angeles County for invasion of privacy after members of sheriff's and fire departments shared images of the crash

Kobe Bryant with his daughter Gianna at the WNBA All Star Game in July 2019, six months before they died in a helicopter crash in California. USA Today Sports

Bryant celebrates with Gianna after the Lakers' 99-86 defeat of Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA finals in Orlando. Orlando Sentinel / AP

A mural of Bryant and Gianna by artist Mr Brainwash in Los Angeles. Getty

Bryant sinks a shot in the closing seconds against Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the 2009 NBA Finals, in Los Angeles. AP

Bryant, holding the championship trophy, celebrates with teammates Rick Fox, Lindsey Hunter and Shaquille O'Neal in 2002. AP

Bryant and Glen Keane accept the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film for 'Dear Basketball'. Reuters

O'Neal and Bryant in 2004. Getty

Bryant walks towards the tunnel after scoring 60 points against Utah Jazz at Staples Centre in Los Angeles. AFP

A man touches a statue in memory of Bryant and Gianna in Calabasas, California, where their helicopter crashed. AP

Flowers next to a mural of Bryant in Los Angeles. EPA

Bryant dunks on the way to the US winning the gold medal against Spain at the North Greenwich Arena during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Reuters

Bryant talks with USA Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski during an Olympic team practice. AP

LeBron James greets Bryant on the court. AP

A woman looks up at a mural of Bryant and Gianna in Los Angeles. AP

Kobe Bryant celebrates after scoring 60 points in his last NBA game at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on April 13, 2016. AFP

LA Lakers' Bryant flashes the victory sign at a parade in downtown Los Angeles. AP

A municipal basketball court in Los Angeles was painted with an image of Bryant. Reuters

Bryant and Gianna watch the US national championships swimming meet in Irvine, California. AP

Vanessa, Kobe, Natalia and Gianna Bryant at the world premiere of 'A Wrinkle in Time' in Los Angeles. AP

Vanessa and Kobe Bryant arrive at the 2018 Oscars in Los Angeles. AP

Los Angeles County will pay the wife of Kobe Bryant nearly $29 million to settle a lawsuit over allegations that sheriff officers and firefighters shared gruesome photos of the helicopter crash that killed the late basketball star and his daughter, 13.

“Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs Bryant's courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct,” said Luis Li, attorney for Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant's wife. “She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased family were treated with similar disrespect.”

Li confirmed that the settlement was for $28.85 million. That includes the $15 million that a jury in a federal court awarded to Vanessa Bryant in August in the case after finding that firefighters and deputies violated her privacy and caused her emotional distress.

Vanessa Bryant had sued Los Angeles County, alleging invasion of privacy, after accusing members of the Los Angeles County sheriff's and fire departments of sharing images of the crash in unofficial settings, including to patrons in a bar.

Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people died in the crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020.

Kobe Bryant was 41 when he died. The Los Angeles Lakers great and 18-time All-Star won five NBA championships and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Mira Hashmall, an attorney representing the county in the case, told the Los Angeles Times that the settlement was “fair and reasonable".

She added that it resolves “all outstanding issues related to pending legal claims in state court, future claims by the Bryant children, and other costs, with each party responsible for its respective attorneys' fees".