Key facts
- A jury ordered California socialite Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million in punitive damages.
- Former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson must pay $1.17 million in punitive damages.
- This is in addition to $176 million in wrongful death and emotional distress damages previously awarded.
- Grossman was convicted of second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter in a separate criminal trial.
- Grossman was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in 2024.
A Los Angeles jury has ordered California socialite Rebecca Grossman to pay $21 million in punitive damages to the parents of two young brothers who died when her car struck them in a 2020 hit-and-run collision. Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, who was driving ahead of Grossman at the time, was ordered to pay an additional $1.17 million in punitive damages.
These punitive damages are in addition to the $176 million in compensatory damages for wrongful death and emotional distress that jurors had previously awarded to parents Nancy and Karim Iskander. The jury found both Grossman and Erickson negligent in the deaths of Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8.
Brian Panish, the Iskander family's attorney, stated that the verdict sends a message about accountability for selfish actions that endanger lives. Erickson's attorney acknowledged the verdict and expressed condolences to the Iskander family.
Grossman was convicted in a separate criminal trial of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run driving. She was sentenced in 2024 to 15 years to life in prison. Grossman is a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation and the wife of a prominent burn doctor.
The civil trial began in April, with the Iskander family's attorneys arguing that Grossman and Erickson were driving recklessly after drinking margaritas together. Grossman was reportedly driving 73 mph in a 45 mph zone when she struck the boys in a crosswalk, following Erickson who was also speeding and narrowly missed the family. Grossman's attorney denied her client was intoxicated, suggesting she was distracted by seeing the boys' mother dive out of the way of Erickson's vehicle. Erickson's attorney maintained that his client's vehicle made no contact with the children.