As the world mourns the loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter, and 7 others in a January 26, 2020 helicopter accident, his wife, Vanessa Bryant has since filed a lawsuit against the parties allegedly responsible.
The lawsuit is based upon a theory of liability known as wrongful death, in which certain family members have rights when a loved one is killed through the negligent misconduct of another. In addition to their grief, survivors may also face an uncertain future and devastating losses without the support of the deceased. A wrongful death claim can help recoup some of their damages to minimize the impact.
If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, you may have similar rights in a wrongful death lawsuit. Our team at Kemmy Law Firm can assist with your claim, as we have more than five decades of combined experience in these types of cases.
We’re in a better position to explain your legal options after reviewing your circumstances, so please contact us to set up a free consultation with a Texas wrongful death lawyer today.
The Deadly Helicopter Crash and its Aftermath
Even if you’re not a huge basketball fan, there’s a good chance you know Kobe Bryant’s long list of accomplishments during his 20-year career in the NBA. He won five championships, was named league MVP in 2008, and is touted by many as one the greatest to play the game.
While on his way via helicopter to a basketball training facility with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and 7 others, the aircraft crashed under circumstances that are still under investigation. All nine individuals on board were killed in the incident, including the pilot.
Though the grief is no doubt overwhelming, surviving Bryant family members will also suffer other losses as a result. Kobe was the primary source of income and financial stability, with earnings through his NBA retirement plan, a venture capital firm he co-founded, and numerous endorsements. As a father and husband, the void left behind will be considerable from the standpoint of emotional support and related contributions. Of course, the surviving Bryant family members also lost a sister and daughter, further compounding their losses.
The Bryant Wrongful Death Lawsuit
To succeed in her wrongful death claim, it’s necessary for Vanessa Bryant and her attorneys to prove four essential elements:
- A person died in an accident or other fatal incident;
- The individual’s death was caused by negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct;
- Surviving family members sustained and continue to suffer losses as a result of the decedent’s passing; and,
- The claimant is an eligible person who has standing to file a wrongful death lawsuit, which varies according to state law. In Texas, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the victim may have standing. If they don’t do so within 90 days after death, the personal representative of the decedent’s estate may file a lawsuit.
Evidence and Allegations in the Bryant Case
One key factor in the Bryant wrongful death lawsuit is the negligent conduct that directly caused or contributed to the fatal helicopter crash. Legal negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care, thereby creating a risk of harm to others. In the Bryant case, there are multiple allegations of negligent acts by the helicopter company and pilot, including failure to:
- Monitor weather conditions before departure;
- Review essential weather factors prior to takeoff;
- Abort the flight when weather conditions proved to be unfavorable.
Compensation in a Wrongful Death Claim
In the Bryant case, the complaint requests various forms of legal relief. Because the basis a wrongful death claim is to compensate surviving family members, there’s a wide range of damages that a claimant can seek.
Wrongful death compensation generally falls into two categories:
- Economic damages, such as reimbursement for funeral and burial costs, the decedent’s lost wages, and amounts for the victim’s future earning capacity had he or she survived; and,
- Non-economic damages, which cover issues that are subjective in nature. When they lose a loved one like the Bryant family did, survivors suffer from the guidance, education, love, emotional support, and related harm that was taken from them by the responsible party.
Discuss Your Rights with a Texas Wrongful Death Attorney
Our team at Kemmy Law Firm is prepared to aggressively pursue those responsible for causing your loved one’s death, so please contact our office to schedule a no-cost consultation. You can speak to one of our experienced wrongful death attorneys by calling (830) 264-6297 or visiting our website.
We serve clients in in Odessa-Midland, TX and throughout the Permian Basin in a wide range of personal injury cases, including wrongful death lawsuits.
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