Wrongful Termination Suit Dropped Against Kobe Bryant and Wife

A wrongful termination suit against Los Angeles Lakers super star Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa, has been dropped.

The couple has reached a settlement after his former housekeeper dropped a wrongful termination lawsuit, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kobe Bryant and wife Vanessa countersued their ex-housekeeper Maria Jimenez for allegedly breaking a confidentiality agreement and talking to the media about her work with the family. However, recently both parties have dismissed their respective complaints against each other, according to Times.

Jimenez had sued the couple for wrongful termination for being fired after seven months of working in the home. She worked for the family from 2007 to 2008.

The term "wrongful termination" means that an employer has fired or laid off an employee for illegal reasons in the eyes of the law. Illegal reasons for termination can include:

• Firing in violation of federal and state anti-discrimination laws;
• Firing as a form of sexual harassment;
• Firing in violation of oral and written employment agreements;
• Firing in violation of labor laws, including collective bargaining laws; and
• Firing in retaliation for the employee's having filed a complaint or claim against the employer.

Some of these violations carry statutory penalties, while others will result in the employer's payment of damages based on the terminated employee's lost wages and other expenses.

Certain wrongful termination cases may raise the possibility that the employer pay punitive damages to the terminated employee, while other cases may carry the prospect of holding more than one wrongdoer responsible for damages.

In this case, although the matter has been resolved, the Bryants have not paid their former housekeeper any money.

• Former housekeeper drops lawsuit against Kobe Bryant, wife (Los Angeles Times)
• Wrongful Termination Claims (FindLaw)
• Resolution Before Trial: Settlement (FindLaw)
• Employment at Will and Unlawful Termination (provided by Law Offices of Rheuban & Gresen)
• Employee Rights FAQ (provided by The Galo Law Firm)