Legal Actions Following a Devastating Incident
In a heart-wrenching case that has shocked the community, attorney for the Iskander family is pushing for a hefty $21 million in punitive damages against Rebecca Grossman and former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson. This follows the tragic deaths of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother Jacob, who were struck by Grossman’s vehicle in Westlake Village under distressing circumstances.
Previously, a jury awarded the Iskander family $176 million in compensatory damages after determining that both Grossman and Erickson acted with malice leading up to the incident. Now, the court is ready to enter the punitive damages phase, where the jury will decide on the total amount to be awarded in light of the grievous actions that led to this loss of life.
Details of the Incident
According to the lawsuit filed in January 2021, on the evening of September 29, 2020, Grossman and Erickson consumed cocktails before allegedly engaging in a dangerous speed contest along Triunfo Canyon Road. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Grossman was traveling upwards of 80 mph in a 45 mph zone when the fatal collision occurred at a crosswalk, resulting in the tragic loss of the two young boys’ lives.
In a poignant closing statement, the Iskander family’s attorney, Brian Panish, emphasized the irreversible impact of the tragedy on the family, stating, “Their lives will never be the same.” Panish further expressed disdain towards Grossman and Erickson, suggesting that their reckless behavior reflects their character.
On the other hand, attorneys for Grossman and Erickson defended their clients, asserting they were not racing and that no impairment affected their driving at the time of the accident. Additionally, they proposed that any compensatory damages awarded against Erickson should be limited to $10 million.
Legal documents presented by the Iskander family’s lawyers claim that Grossman attempted to leave the scene but was prevented when her vehicle’s systems shut down due to the crash’s severity. The attorneys have accused her of lying to investigators regarding her speed and alcohol consumption, maintaining that she was unaware of the circumstances surrounding the airbag deployment in her damaged vehicle. Both Grossman and Erickson have shared accusations, placing blame on one another for the tragic accident.
Currently, Grossman is serving a sentence of 15 years to life after being convicted of multiple charges, including second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, following a trial that concluded earlier this year. Her husband, Dr. Peter Grossman, a respected plastic surgeon and founder of the Grossman Burn Center, is also named as a defendant in this case, as he owned the car involved in the incident.
