The tragic death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and seven others in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, has left many people with questions about why the aircraft was flying. As most people have learned, the flying conditions that day were not optimal. Now, we have learned that Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, has filed a wrongful death claim against the company that owned the aircraft at the center of this case. At JML Law, our Los Angeles wrongful death attorneys want to discuss what we know about this case.
What does this wrongful death lawsuit mean
Many people have wondered why Vanessa Bryant has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that owned the helicopter that crashed and led to the death of her husband and daughter. After all, her net worth is already in the hundreds of millions, so what would be the benefit of a wrongful death settlement.
This kind of thinking misses the point of a wrongful death lawsuit. Yes, families of those killed due to the negligent actions of someone else deserve to be compensated for their losses, but that is only one factor in these lawsuits.
Another factor is accountability. A wrongful death lawsuit, at its core, is about holding those responsible for the death accountable for their actions. If a plaintiff in a wrongful death lawsuit is victorious, it sends a message that the type of behavior that caused the death is unacceptable. Not only does the defendant in a wrongful death case get this message, but so do others who may be guilty of similar behavior.
In this situation, the wrongful death case will likely center on whether or not the aircraft or pilot should have been operating in the weather conditions present that day. While we have no way of knowing what the outcome of the case will be, you can be sure that all private and recreational helicopter companies in the state are watching to see what the outcome will be.
And, lest we forget, there were seven other people on board that helicopter who do not have the net worth that Vanessa Bryant does. Their families should all be fairly compensated for their losses as well.
We are here to help
If you have lost a loved one due to the careless or negligent actions of another person, company, or entity, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At JML Law, we are ready to help you get through this. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will investigate your case and work to secure any compensation you may be entitled to. This can include:
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of companionship damages
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of future income and benefits of the deceased
- Cost of any pre-death medical expenses
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent party
If you need a Los Angeles wrongful death lawyer, you can contact us by clicking here or calling us at 818-610-8800 for a free consultation today.
