A Los Angeles jury has reached a verdict in a high-profile civil trial, awarding $176 million to the family of two young brothers who were killed in a 2020 collision. The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, holds California socialite Rebecca Grossman and former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Erickson liable for the wrongful deaths of 11-year-old Mark Iskander and 8-year-old Jacob Iskander.
The civil proceedings, which spanned eight weeks, concluded with jurors finding both defendants negligent in the fatal crash that occurred in Westlake Village. The $176 million award is intended to address claims of wrongful death and emotional distress, stemming from an incident that has drawn significant public and legal scrutiny over the past six years. For further context on the legal proceedings, readers can follow developments via official court reporting.
Negligence and Liability in the Westlake Village Collision
The fatal event took place on the evening of September 29, 2020. According to testimony presented throughout the civil trial, Mark and Jacob Iskander were crossing a street in a marked crosswalk when they were struck. The jury determined that both Grossman and Erickson acted with negligence, specifically finding that the two defendants “acted in concert with each other in the course of their activities leading to the fatal collision.”
Brian Panish, the attorney representing the Iskander family, argued that the pair had been drinking together at a local restaurant prior to the incident. During closing arguments, Panish stated, “This was a totally preventable collision,” noting that the children “went out for a walk and they never came home.” Expert testimony provided during the trial indicated that Grossman’s vehicle was traveling at approximately 73 mph in a 45 mph zone at the time of the impact.
The defense teams for the defendants offered contrasting perspectives on the events. Esther Holm, representing Grossman, argued that her client was not impaired and did not see the children because her attention was diverted by the boys’ mother. Meanwhile, Jeff Braun, counsel for Erickson, acknowledged the tragedy of the boys’ deaths but emphasized that the vehicle his client was driving made no physical contact with the children.
Criminal Convictions and Civil Consequences
This civil verdict follows a separate criminal trial concluded in 2024, in which Rebecca Grossman was convicted of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, and hit-and-run driving. Following those convictions, she was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Grossman, a co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, remains incarcerated as these civil matters proceed.
The civil trial, which began in April 2026, has focused on the financial accountability of both Grossman and Erickson. By determining that both defendants acted with malice, the jury has cleared the way for a second phase of the civil proceedings. This upcoming phase will be dedicated to evaluating whether additional punitive damages should be awarded to the parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander.
Looking Ahead: The Next Phase of Litigation
The legal process is far from over. Court is scheduled to resume on Friday, June 5, 2026, to address the determination of punitive damages. This phase is critical, as it allows the jury to consider whether the actions of the defendants warrant financial penalties beyond the initial compensatory award for wrongful death and emotional distress.
As the case continues to develop, the focus remains on the judicial determination of responsibility and the impact of these events on the Iskander family. The complexity of the trial highlights the intersection of criminal findings and civil liability in cases involving high-speed vehicular incidents.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on the implications of this verdict and the ongoing civil trial in the comments section below. As Here’s a developing legal matter, we will continue to monitor official court records and provide updates as new information becomes available.