Tyreek Hill found liable for two battery counts, ordered to pay $500,000

A Miami-Dade County jury found former NFL player Tyreek Hill liable for two separate incidents of battery against his wife, Lakeeta Vaccaro, on Tuesday. The verdict awarded Vaccaro $500,000 in compensatory damages at the conclusion of the battery divorce trial. While the jury held Hill responsible for the two specific battery counts, it found him not liable on five other battery counts, one count of assault, one count of intentional emotional distress, and one count of continuing domestic violence. Vaccaro's legal team had previously agreed to dismiss an additional battery count during the proceedings.

The jury's decision means Hill is legally recognized as having battered his wife on two occasions under the preponderance of the evidence standard. However, the same legal standard resulted in a finding that he did not batter or assault Vaccaro in relation to six other counts. The $500,000 judgment is notably lower than the expectations the plaintiff may have held at the start of the trial.

The civil verdict has immediate implications for Hill's professional status. He had planned to return to the NFL as early as next month and has been linked to rumors of re-joining the Kansas City Chiefs. Hill is currently the subject of an ongoing review by the NFL under its Personal Conduct Policy. The league's investigation is expected to examine the specific accounts of battery for which Hill was found liable.

The first incident the jury found Hill liable for occurred on January 11, 2024. Vaccaro alleged that Hill demanded she sign a postnuptial agreement, a request both parties identified as central to their disagreements during the trial. According to the charges, Hill became angry and aggressive, throwing Vaccaro's clothing and personal belongings around the room. The suit stated that Hill intentionally and without consent violently pushed and shoved Vaccaro, knocking her to the floor and cornering her. Vaccaro further claimed that Hill knowingly strangled her by applying pressure to her throat or neck and blocking her nose or mouth.

The second incident for which the jury found Hill liable took place on April 7, 2025, at the couple's condominium in Sunny Isle, Florida. Vaccaro claimed that Hill put his hands on her, shoved her, forcibly restrained her, and threw her computer. The lawsuit maintained that as a direct and proximate result of this conduct, Vaccaro sustained physical injuries. The jury agreed with these findings on this count.