NFL

Illustration of Tyreek Hill standing alone at Hard Rock Stadium

Tyreek Hill Found Liable on 2 Battery Counts, Jury Awards Estranged Wife $500K

By The Sports Nus Staff | October 14, 2026

A Miami jury returned a mixed verdict Tuesday in the civil trial against free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill, finding him liable for two counts of battery against his estranged wife Lakeeta Vaccaro while clearing him on eight other claims. The jury awarded Vaccaro $500,000 in compensatory damages but denied her request for punitive damages.

The six-person jury found Hill liable for an incident in January 2024 and another on April 7, 2025, the day before Vaccaro filed for divorce. Hill was found not liable on eight remaining counts that included battery, assault and continuing domestic violence.

Hill, 32, smiled and shook hands with his attorneys after the verdicts were read. "Mr. Hill was very pleased that he was able to get his story out and to be able to tell the world what he's not been able to speak about," attorney Christi Bright told reporters. "He's very grateful."

Hill took the stand last week and mostly denied the allegations, though he admitted shoving Vaccaro and "created a hole in the wall" in one instance. Vaccaro testified about a tumultuous relationship, alleging Hill pulled her hair, knocked her to the ground and issued threats.

It remains unclear what the verdict means for Hill's NFL return. He is a free agent rehabbing a dislocated knee and torn ligaments suffered in September 2025 with the Dolphins. His agent Drew Rosenhaus has said Hill could be ready to play by November, and reported landing spots include his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs. An NFL spokesperson said Vaccaro's allegations remain under review under the personal conduct policy.

What it means

The mixed verdict is neither a full exoneration nor a devastating loss for Hill. He avoided punitive damages and beat eight of ten counts, but a jury still found he committed battery twice. With the NFL's personal conduct review still open, teams will weigh the legal outcome against the PR risk. Hill's on-field resume is undeniable: 819 catches, 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns over ten seasons, with six 1,000-yard campaigns. Whether anyone signs him before the league rules is the real question.

Key Facts

Verdict: Liable on 2 counts of battery. Not liable on 8 other claims (battery, assault, continuing domestic violence). $500K compensatory damages, no punitive damages.
Incidents: January 2024 and April 7, 2025 (day before divorce filing).
Hill's attorney: "Mr. Hill was very pleased that he was able to get his story out." (VIA Christi Bright)
NFL status: Free agent. Personal conduct policy review ongoing per NFL spokesperson.
Injury: Rehabbing dislocated knee and torn ligaments from September 2025. Agent says could play by November.
Career: 8-time Pro Bowler, 5-time first-team All-Pro. 819 catches, 11,363 yards, 83 TDs in 145 games.

VIA AP, Reuters, USA Today, The Score.