Vanessa Bryant has filed a wrongful death suit against the company that operated the helicopter that crashed last month, killing her husband Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianni, and seven others.
As mourners assembled at the Staples Center yesterday for the memorial service held to honor the lives of Kobe and Gianni, attorneys filed the suit in a Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The complaint against Island Express Holding Corp. and Island Express Helicopters alleges that the pilot Ara Zobayan (who also perished in the crash) did not use enough care in piloting the aircraft, resulting in negligence.
The lawsuit states:
Defendant Island Express Helicopters authorized, directed and/or permitted a flight with full knowledge that the subject helicopter was flying into unsafe weather conditions.
It further says that Kobe Bryant died as a direct result of the negligent conduct of Zobayan for which the company is “vicariously liable in all respects.”
The 27-count complaint also names the dead pilot’s estate as a defendant, seeking compensatory and punitive damages for an unspecified amount.
Vanessa is represented by Munger, Tolles & Olson and Kansas City-based Robb & Robb which has its specialty in helicopter crashes.
