California Socialite and Ex-Dodger Ordered to Pay $22M in Punitive Damages in Deaths of Two Young Brothers

A Los Angeles jury ordered Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million and former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson to pay $1.17 million in punitive damages for a 2020 hit-and-run crash that killed two young brothers. This comes in addition to $176 million in wrongful death damages awarded to the boys' parents last week. Grossman was previously convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in a separate criminal trial.
A Los Angeles jury on Wednesday ordered California socialite Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million in punitive damages and former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson to pay $1.17 million in punitive damages following a civil trial over a September 2020 crash in Westlake Village that killed brothers Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8. The jury had previously awarded the boys' parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, $176 million in wrongful death and emotional distress damages. According to the family's attorney, Grossman was driving 73 mph in a 45 mph zone when her vehicle struck the boys in a crosswalk; Erickson was driving ahead of her and narrowly missed the family. The defense argued that Grossman was distracted rather than intoxicated, and that Erickson's vehicle made no contact with the children. Grossman was separately convicted of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run driving in a criminal trial and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in 2024.
What different sources said
- NBC Los AngelesCenter
Nearly $200M awarded to Westlake Village family in Rebecca Grossman fatal crash case
- The IndependentLeft
California socialite and ex-Dodger must pay $22M in punitive damages over deaths of young brothers
- ABC7 Los AngelesCenter
Rebecca Grossman, ex-Dodger Scott Erickson ordered to pay over $22M in punitive damages for crash that killed 2 boys
- New York PostRight
Jury slaps millions more in punitive damages for LA socialite Rebecca Grossman
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