A Los Angeles County jury awarded $176 million to the Iskander family after finding Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson negligent in the deaths of Mark and Jacob Iskander, and the jury also found malice, allowing a punitive damages phase. Grossman was previously convicted in the criminal case and sentenced to 15 years to life.
What Happened in the Rebecca Grossman Civil Case
The civil case centered on the deaths of Mark Iskander, 11, and Jacob Iskander, 8, who were struck in a Westlake Village crosswalk in September 2020. Their parents, Nancy and Karim Iskander, and their surviving son Zachary pursued civil claims against Rebecca Grossman and Scott Erickson.
After an eight week civil trial, jurors found Grossman and Erickson negligent. The jury also found that they acted in concert with each other in the events leading to the fatal collision. The verdict included $59 million for the wrongful death damages related to Mark, $48 million for the wrongful death damages related to Jacob, $35 million for Nancy Iskander’s emotional distress, and $34 million for Zachary Iskander’s emotional suffering.
The jury also found malice, which allowed the case to move into a punitive damages phase. Punitive damages are different from compensation for the family’s loss. They are meant to punish especially wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
What the $176M Verdict Shows About Civil Accountability
The $176 million verdict matters because it reflects how seriously a civil jury can view fatal driving conduct when the evidence shows speed, danger, and a devastating loss of life.
In many car accident cases, insurance companies try to reduce the case to numbers on a claim file. They may argue about visibility, fault, timing, roadway conditions, or whether another driver contributed to the crash. But in a wrongful death case, the jury is asked to consider the full human loss, including the relationship between the family members, the emotional harm, and the long term impact on surviving parents and siblings.
The Rebecca Grossman case also shows that a civil jury can assign responsibility to more than one person. Even when only one vehicle physically strikes a victim, another driver may still face civil liability if the evidence shows that person’s conduct contributed to the danger.
Civil Liability Is Separate From Criminal Punishment
Rebecca Grossman was previously convicted in a separate criminal case and sentenced to 15 years to life. The civil verdict did not replace that criminal sentence. Instead, it addressed a different question: what financial accountability should exist for the family’s losses?
This distinction is important for California families. A criminal case is brought by the government and focuses on punishment under criminal law. A civil case is brought by the injured person or surviving family and focuses on compensation, accountability, and the harm caused by the defendant’s conduct. A person can face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit after the same crash. Even if a criminal case is delayed, dismissed, appealed, or resolved by plea, the civil claim may still be available depending on the facts and deadlines.
When Punitive Damages May Apply After a Fatal Crash
Punitive damages are not available in every car accident case. They are generally reserved for conduct that goes beyond ordinary negligence. In a serious crash case, punitive damages may become an issue when there is evidence of extreme recklessness, intoxication, conscious disregard for safety, street racing, hit and run conduct, or other especially dangerous behavior.
In the Rebecca Grossman civil trial, the jury’s finding of malice opened the door to a separate punitive damages phase. That finding was significant because the evidence presented at trial involved allegations of conduct far beyond a simple driving mistake, including:
• Excessive speed in a residential area
• Allegations that Grossman and Erickson were racing before the crash
• Evidence that Grossman had been drinking before driving
• The fact that the boys were struck while crossing in a marked crosswalk
• The severity of the collision and the fatal injuries suffered by Mark and Jacob Iskander
• Allegations that Grossman continued driving after the impact
That does not happen in every case, but it shows why the details of the defendant’s conduct matter. For victims and families, punitive damages can also change how a case is litigated. The defendant’s financial condition may become relevant, and the trial may involve additional evidence beyond the immediate crash facts.
Speak With a Los Angeles Wrongful Death Lawyer at Bojat Law Group
The Rebecca Grossman $176M verdict is a reminder that fatal crash cases require serious legal work, strong evidence, and attorneys who know how to hold negligent drivers accountable.
If your family lost a loved one in a car accident, pedestrian crash, drunk driving collision, or high speed crash, Bojat Law Group can help you understand your legal options. Our wrongful death lawyer team represents injury victims and families throughout California and fights for the compensation they deserve. Contact Bojat Law Group today at (818) 877-4878 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
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