Two young brothers are gone, and now a jury must decide who is to blame

Closing arguments start Monday in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of Mark and Jacob Iskander.

When a family loses their children, the pain never truly ends. For one grieving family, the fight for justice moves to a quiet courthouse where twelve strangers will soon decide who is responsible.

WHAT HAPPENED

Closing arguments will start on Monday, June 1, at 9:00 AM. The trial takes place at the Van Nuys Courthouse East.

The parents of Mark and Jacob Iskander filed this civil lawsuit. They seek justice after their two young sons died.

The trial has lasted for weeks. Family members and witnesses gave emotional testimony about the loss.

WHAT THE EVIDENCE SHOWS

The trial is a civil wrongful death lawsuit.

• The parents of Mark and Jacob Iskander filed the suit.
• Closing arguments begin Monday, June 1, at 9:00 AM.
• The case is held at the Van Nuys Courthouse East.
• The jury will decide the case after closing arguments.

Can a civil court case ever bring closure to a grieving parent? While criminal trials punish a wrongdoer, civil suits force people and groups to take financial blame for tragedies.

The defense argues that other factors or parties caused the tragic crash. They argue that the law does not support the level of blame the parents are seeking. This argument rests on technical road and traffic facts, which can be hard for a jury to weigh.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

Once closing arguments finish, the jury will meet to make a choice. Their decision could force changes in how local roads are built or how drivers are held accountable in civil courts.