UPDATE 1-NBA star Bryant's widow sues helicopter operator after fatal crash, paper reports

The widow of NBA star Kobe Bryant has filed a lawsuit against the operator of a helicopter that crashed into a California hillside, killing him, their daughter Gianna and seven others nearly a month ago, the Los Angeles Times reported on Monday.

Vanessa Bryant filed the wrongful death lawsuit against Island Express Helicopters and Island Express Holding Corp. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the pilot, Ara Zoboyan, who also died in the accident, failed "to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft," the LA Times said.

The lawsuit alleges the deaths of Bryant and the others were the direct result of "negligent conduct of Zobayan," making Island Express Helicopters "vicariously liable in all respects," the newspaper quoted the lawsuit as saying. Island Express did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26 while en route to the Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks, California, for a youth basketball event. The academy was named after Bryant, whose nickname was Black Mamba. News of the legal action surfaced as thousands of fans gathered at the Staples Center to pay homage to Bryant, his daughter, and the other victims.