The family of pilot Ara Zobayan, adding that Kobe knew the risks of flying on January 26, 2020, have responded to Vanessa Bryant’s wrongful death lawsuit.
Documents show that Ara’s wife, Berge Zobayan has responded to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Vanessa Bryant according to The Blast, adding that her husband should not be blamed for the accident. She adds that the passengers had voluntarily flown that day despite the risks of the foggy conditions.
“Any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence or fault of plaintiffs and/or their decedent, including their knowing and voluntary encounter with the risks involved, and that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing their purported damages, for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility,” the response reads, “and that any injuries or damages to plaintiffs and/or their decedent were directly caused in full or in part by the negligence, fault or wrongful conduct of third parties, whom this answering defendant neither controlled nor had the right to control, and for which this answering defendant bears no responsibility.”
Vanessa filed a lawsuit in a Los Angeles County Superior Court against Island Express Helicopters and Island Express Holding Corp. alleging that pilot Ara Zobayan, who also died in the crash, failed “to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft” and was “negligent.”
“Defendant Island Express Helicopters’ breach of its duty and negligence caused the injuries and damages complained of herein and Plaintiffs’ deceased, Kobe Bryant, was killed as a direct result of the negligent conduct of Zobayan for which Defendant Island Express Helicopters is vicariously liable in all respects,” the lawsuit read.
According to the suit, Zobayan failed to properly monitor and assess the weather prior to takeoff, failed to obtain proper weather data prior to the flight, failed to abort the flight when he knew of the fog, failed to maintain control of the helicopter, but also says that Island Express engaged in unnecessary and needlessly risky means of transportation under the circumstances.
The damages could be in excess of millions.
