Amber Heard who was found guilty of defaming her ex-husband and actor Johnny Depp has been ordered to pay $15 million in damages.
Now the experts have stated that the jurors’ decision poses financial risks for Heard, whose wealth is ‘unclear’. In total, Heard must pay $10 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages.
According to CBS, Heard could either appeal the judgment, file for bankruptcy or risk having her wages ‘garnished’.
If Heard does decide to seek a more favourable judgement and appeal, she’d still have to post bond for the entire $10.35 million in damages, which may not be economically feasible for the star.
Read more: Johnny Depp wins defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard
She could also file for bankruptcy, which would totally eliminate the $10 million she’s due to pay in compensatory damages, but the $350,000 Heard’s been ordered to pay in punitive damages can’t be waived.
A source said that Heard could end up having her wages garnished. On the other hand, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor failed to indicate whether or not he’s going to pursue the payout in a statement released after the jury’s decision was read in court.
On Wednesday, Depp won more than $10 million in damages, achieving a near-total victory in a defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard to cap a six-week trial.
A seven-person jury in Virginia also ruled for Heard on one counterclaim against Depp. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” film star depicted the decision as a vindication, and his former wife said it was “a disappointment.”
Jurors awarded Depp $15 million in damages from Heard, which the judge reduced to $10.35 million to comply with state limits on punitive damages. The panel ordered Depp to pay Heard $2 million in damages.
Depp, 58, had sued Heard for $50 million and argued that she defamed him when she called herself “a public figure representing domestic abuse” in a newspaper opinion piece. Heard countersued for $100 million, saying Depp smeared her when his lawyer called her accusations a “hoax.”
