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Vanessa Bryant files wrongful death lawsuit against helicopter company

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Vanessa and Kobe Bryant. (Photo: Getty/Gallo Images)
Vanessa and Kobe Bryant. (Photo: Getty/Gallo Images)

Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, is taking legal action less than a month after the former NBA star’s tragic death.

Vanessa (37) has reportedly filed a 72-page long wrongful death lawsuit in Los Angeles against Island Express Helicopters, according to documents obtained by E News.

The lawsuit stated that the helicopter company and its employees, including Ara George Zobayan, the pilot who was flying the helicopter that Kobe, his daughter and seven others crashed in, claiming they had the "duty to use that degree of care that an ordinarily careful and prudent pilot would use under the same or similar circumstances.

"Defendant Island Express Helicopters authorised, directed and/or permitted a flight with full knowledge that the subject helicopter was flying into unsafe weather conditions," the lawsuit continues.

The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter couldn’t be tracked after it crashed in Calabasas, California on 26 January. The helicopter accident killed nine people, including the couple’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna.

"This was a tragic accident. We’ll have no comment on the pending litigation," The helicopter company said in a statement on Monday, according to CNN.

When contacted about the legal suit by local media, Island Express’s spokesperson, Teri Neville, had no comment.

Vanessa is reportedly seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, reports to the Los Angeles Times.

Neither the widow nor her lawyers could be reached for comment.

Sources: E News, CNN, Los Angeles Times

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