The family of the late Kobe Bryant has agreed to settle legal issues surrounding photos of the body of the NBA star and others who were killed in a 2020 helicopter crash.

A federal jury has found that Los Angeles County must pay Kobe Bryant’s widow $16 million for emotional distress caused by deputies and firefighters sharing photos of the bodies of the NBA star and his daughter taken at the site of the 2020 helicopter crash that killed them.

Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa testified she was only beginning to grieve the loss of her husband and their 13-year-old daughter in a helicopter crash when she was faced with the fresh horror of learning that deputies and firefighters had shared photos of their remains.

A lawyer for the widow of Kobe Bryant told jurors that a “culture of callousness” led Los Angeles County deputies and firefighters to share photos of the remains of Kobe Bryant and other victims of the 2020 helicopter crash that killed the Lakers star, his 13-year-old daughter, and seven others.

Vanessa Bryant will be recognized as one of the leading women in sports at an event during Super Bowl week.

Lawyers for Los Angeles County failed in their bid to persuade a federal judge to end Vanessa Bryant’s lawsuit over gruesome photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, Kobe Bryant, her daughter Gianna and seven others.

A judge has ruled that Kobe Bryant’s widow must turn over her therapy records to Los Angeles County in her lawsuit claiming she suffered emotional distress after first responders shared photos from the site of the helicopter crash that killed the basketball star and his teenage daughter.

A federal judge says Kobe Bryant’s widow won’t have to undergo psychiatric testing in her lawsuit over graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed the basketball star, her 13-year-old daughter and seven others.

Kobe Bryant’s widow said she pleaded with the Los Angeles County sheriff to make sure no one takes photographs from the site of the 2020 helicopter crash that killed the basketball star, and he reassured that the area had been secured.

Los Angeles County is seeking to compel psychiatric evaluations for Kobe Bryant’s widow and others to determine if they truly suffered emotional distress after first responders took and shared graphic photos from the site of the helicopter crash that killed the basketball star, his teenage daughter and seven others.

Kobe Bryant’s widow has agreed to settle a lawsuit against the pilot and owners of the helicopter that crashed last year, killing the NBA star, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others.

Kobe Bryant is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame now, along with contemporaries Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, headliners of a group of nine who got their delayed and long-awaited enshrinement on Saturday night, more than a year after being announced as the Hall’s Class of 2020.

Vanessa Bryant got a private tour to see some of the newly remodeled Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, viewing the exhibit that will honor the life and legacy of her late husband before the rest of the world gets their first look.

Court documents say two Los Angeles County firefighters could be fired and a third suspended after first responders took and shared graphic photos from the site of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his teenage daughter and seven others.

Michael Jordan will present Kobe Bryant for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next month.

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2017, file photo, from left, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant, wife Vanessa and daughter Natalia Diamante Bryant are seen before an NCAA college women's basketball game between Connecticut and UCLA, in Los Angeles. Vanessa Bryant says she is focused on finding the light in darkness in an emotional story in People magazine. She details how she attempts to push forward after her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gigi died in a helicopter crash in early 2020. Vanessa Bryant said her devotion to her daughters Natalia, Bianka and Capri have been a saving grace. Vanessa Bryant said she wants to honor her husband and daughter’s legacy by creating opportunities for young female athletes.

“Here is a case where a pilot who is well regarded apparently got into a very bad situation,” Sumwalt said. AdThere were 184 aircraft crashes between 2010-2019 involving spatial disorientation, including 20 fatal helicopter crashes, the NTSB said. Vanessa Bryant has sued Island Express Helicopters Inc., which operated the aircraft, and its owner, Island Express Holding Corp. She said Zobayan was not properly trained or supervised and should have aborted the flight. Island Express Helicopters Inc. denied responsibility and said the crash was “an act of God” that it could not control. Lawyers for Berge Zobayan and Island Express declined to comment on the NTSB findings.

The crash led to widespread public mourning for the retired basketball star and several lawsuits, and prompted state and federal legislation. But NTSB investigator-in-charge Bill English said the system, which was not on the helicopter, would probably not have prevented the crash. Federal lawmakers have sponsored the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act to mandate the warning systems on all helicopters carrying six or more passengers. AdZobayan’s brother, Berge Zobayan, has said Kobe Bryant knew the risks of flying in a helicopter and that his survivors aren’t entitled to damages from the pilot’s estate. Island Express Helicopters Inc. denied responsibility and said the crash was “an act of God” that it could not control.

Federal safety officials are expected to vote Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021, on what likely caused the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others to crash into a Southern California hillside last year, killing all aboard. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file)LOS ANGELES – In the year since the helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant crashed into a hillside on a foggy morning, killing all nine aboard, there’s been plenty of finger-pointing over the cause of the tragedy. AdFederal lawmakers have sponsored the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act to mandate the devices on all helicopters carrying six or more passengers. Zobayan’s brother said Kobe Bryant knew the risks of flying in a helicopter and his survivors aren’t entitled to damages from the pilot’s estate. Vanessa Bryant also sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, accusing deputies of sharing unauthorized photos of the crash site.

Vanessa Bryant issued a statement Thursday saying her mother was trying to “extort a financial windfall,” the Los Angeles Times reported. The 48-page lawsuit filed by Sofia Urbieta Laine, 68, claims Kobe Bryant “promised to take care” of her for life. Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others died Jan. 26 when their helicopter crashed in the hills of Calabasas. Financial experts estimate Vanessa Bryant inherited control of an estate worth up to $600 million, the Times said. “She was a grandmother who was supported by me and her son-in-law at my request,” Vanessa Bryant said.

FILE - A body is covered, left, while another is seen at right at the scene of a helicopter crash that killed former NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant and eight others in Calabasas, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Bryant's widow Vanessa Bryant on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020, filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County sheriff alleging negligence, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress after deputies allegedly shared unauthorized photos of the crash that killed her husband, their 13-year-old daughter and seven others. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)LOS ANGELES – Vanessa Bryant, the widow of basketball star Kobe Bryant, has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County sheriff claiming deputies shared unauthorized photos of the crash that killed her husband, their 13-year-old daughter and seven others. Vanessa Bryant was “shocked and devastated” by the reports, the lawsuit states. And we’re content that those involved did that.”Vanessa Bryant's lawsuit alleges the sheriff's actions constituted a “cover-up” of the misconduct. The legislation was prompted by the crash photos. “Shortly following this tragic crash, Sheriff Villanueva sponsored legislation which now makes it a crime for public safety personnel to take and share non-official pictures of this nature," the statement said.

Vanessa Bryant is sharing one of the many sweet gifts given to her by her late husband, Kobe Bryant. She took to Instagram on Monday to give fans a glimpse at the Sex and the City dress the Lakers legend bought her years ago. In February, during her emotional eulogy at the memorial event "A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant," she revealed the special meaning behind the presents. "When I asked him why he chose the blue dress, he said it was because its the scene when Allie comes back to Noah." RELATED CONTENT:Vanessa Bryant & Daughters Welcome New Pup Bobby Into FamilyVanessa Bryant Celebrates Capri's First Birthday With Emotional PostVanessa Bryant Reveals Tattoos Honoring Kobe and Gianna

As they mark a difficult first Fathers Day without Kobe Bryant, the late basketball legends family is finding joy with a new family member -- a cute new pup! Earlier, Vanessa posted a Fathers Day tribute to Kobe, who died alongside the couples 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in a helicopter crash in January. "Happy Father's Day to the BEST daddy in the world, she captioned a throwback photo of Kobe with Gianna, Natalia, Bianka and the couples other daughter, Capri. "Capri Kobe Bryant a.k.a. See more on how people are marking Father's Day below.

This Father's Day is a tough one for Vanessa Bryant. Kobe and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna Bryant, died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26 alongside seven others. Vanessa took to Instagram on Sunday to commemorate the day, posting a throwback photo of Kobe with Gianna and his and Vanessa's other girls, Natalia, Bianka and Capri. He was late one time and we most definitely let him know that I was never late," Vanessa continued. RELATED CONTENT:Vanessa Bryant Celebrates Capri's First Birthday With Emotional PostHow the 2020 ESPYS Will Honor Kobe BryantVanessa Bryant Urges Congress to Pass New Helicopter Safety Act

Vanessa and the late Kobe Bryant's youngest daughter turned a year old on Saturday. To celebrate the birthday girl, Vanessa took to Instagram to share a photo of herself and her late husband cradling their little one. "Capri Kobe Bryant a.k.a. ESPN announced that this year's show will include "a love letter to Kobe Bryant from the people of Los Angeles, featuring a performance by Snoop Dogg." RELATED CONTENT:Vanessa Bryant Urges Congress to Pass New Helicopter Safety ActVanessa Bryant Remembers Kobe's 2009 NBA Win With Emotional VideoVanessa Bryant Reveals Why She Blocked Kobe and Gigi Fan Pages

(CNN) -- Vanessa Bryant, wife of the late Kobe Bryant, is urging Congress to pass a new helicopter safety bill named for her husband and daughter who were killed in a crash earlier this year. “I believe there is a chance that Kobe and Gianna would still be alive today if their helicopter had been equipped with the safety equipment required by this pending federal legislation.”Her comments come after Democratic lawmakers on Thursday introduced the "Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act." Vanessa and Kobe Bryant were married in 2001 and were just a few months away from their 19th wedding anniversary. Vanessa Bryant has been candid on social media about missing her late husband and their daughter. At Kobe Bryant’s memorial, Vanessa Bryant said, “I couldn’t see him as a celebrity nor just an incredible basketball player.

Vanessa Bryant is urging Congress to pass a helicopter safety bill named after her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter, Gianna Bryant, who died following a crash near Calabasas, California, earlier this year. Democratic lawmakers introduced the "Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act" on Thursday, according to CNN, who also reports that the legislation would "require all helicopters certified to carry six or more people to be equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System, a flight data recorder and a cockpit voice recorder." "I strongly urge that the United States Congress pass a federal law that would improve the safety of helicopters operating in this country," Bryant said in statement. As ET previously reported, Bryant is seeking monetary damages in her wrongful death lawsuit following the tragic deaths of Kobe and Gianna earlier this year. RELATED CONTENT:Vanessa Bryant Reveals Tattoos Honoring Kobe and GiannaKobe Bryant's Family Lost 'Millions' in Future Earnings, Suit ClaimsVanessa Bryant Appreciates Kobe Murals Being 'Saved' Amid Protests

Bryant took to Instagram on Sunday to post a heartbreaking video of her late husband Kobe Bryant gleefully celebrating the Los Angeles Lakers' 2009 NBA Championship victory. In the video, Kobe gets emotional while talking to reporters about the "long journey" to the championships and the sacrifices he's made to get there, before his wife gives him a celebratory kiss. As Bryant explained, it's been "ready hard" for her and Natalia to constantly see images of her late husband and their daughter. Blocking the fan pages has helped change the algorithm." Last week, she showed off her new permanent tributes to her late husband and daughter: tattoos of messages they'd shared with her.

Bianka Bryant has done it again! Vanessa and the late Kobe Bryant's 3-year-old daughter once again stole the show in her big sister, Natalia's, TikTok video. The tot was all smiles as she made an adorable surprise appearance in Natalia's video dancing to We Rock -- from the 2008 flick, Camp Rock -- with two of her cousins. The post came just a few days after Vanessa honored her late daughter on what would have been the day of her middle school graduation. RELATED CONTENT:Watch Kobe Bryant's Daughter Bianka Adorably Slide Into Big Sister Natalia's Dance VideoVanessa Bryant Shares Adorable Easter Photos With Daughters Natalia, Bianka & CapriKobe Bryant to Posthumously Receive Emmy Governors Award

Vanessa Bryant is sharing a glimpse of her permanent tributes to her late husband and daughter. Bryant took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a couple videos showing tattoos she got in February to honor Kobe Bryant and their 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. "I wanted my boo boo's @kobebryant sweet message transferred on me. Vanessa Bryant/InstagramThe latest posts come just a few days after Bryant honored her late daughter on what would have been the day of her middle school graduation. RELATED CONTENT:Vanessa Bryant Appreciates Kobe Murals Being 'Saved' Amid ProtestsVanessa Bryant Encourages Fans to 'Fight for Change'Kobe and Vanessa Bryant's Daughter Capri Takes Her First StepsVanessa Bryant Shares Cover of Late Kobe's Upcoming Novel Along With Sweet Note

Vanessa Bryant is seeking monetary damages in her wrongful death lawsuit following the tragic loss of her husband, Kobe Bryant, and their daughter, Gianna. The documents state that "although the total specific amount of personal injury damages the plaintiff seeks is TBD, Kobe Bryant's future lost earnings equal hundreds of millions of dollars." Bryant first filed the wrongful death lawsuit back in March. In response to Bryant's lawsuit, a company spokesperson for Island Express Helicopters previously told ET in March, "This was a tragic accident. RELATED CONTENT:Kobe Bryant Crash: Altobelli and Mauser Families File Wrongful Death LawsuitsVanessa Bryant Files Lawsuit Following Kobe and Gianna's DeathsVanessa Bryant Appreciates Kobe Murals Being 'Saved' Amid ProtestsVanessa Bryant Encourages Fans to 'Fight for Change'

Vanessa Bryant paid tribute to her late daughter, Gianna, on what would have been her middle school graduation day. Gianna died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26 alongside her father, Kobe Bryant, as well as seven other victims. On Friday, Vanessa posted a message on Instagram reading, "Congratulations on your 8th grade graduation Gigi. Since Gianna's tragic death, Vanessa has continued to honor her on meaningful occasions. Meanwhile, Vanessa has recently shown her support for the Black Lives Matter movement amid the nationwide protests following the death of George Floyd.

While the protests in Los Angeles escalated to violence and vandalism over the weekend, murals honoring Kobe Bryant and his late daughter, Gianna, have largely remained untouched. As Vanessa Bryant shared on social media on Monday, even the one mural that was threatened by fire was saved from damage. Bryant took to her Instagram story to share a screenshot of a news report showing a burning building in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles as firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze. Bryant went on to share several other murals across Los Angeles that have been respected amid the increase in vandalism. Despite the large amount of graffiti done during the protests in Los Angeles, all Kobe & Gianna murals have been completely untouched.

In an emotional post on Instagram late Saturday night, Vanessa opened up about the recent protests following George Floyd's tragic death. She shared a photo of her late husband, Kobe Bryant, sporting a shirt reading, "I can't breathe," a statement Floyd uttered before his death on Monday. The 46-year-old died after a police officer held him down by the neck with his knee for more than seven minutes. "My husband wore this shirt years ago and yet here we are again.#ICANTBREATHE," Vanessa wrote alongside the pic, which was taken in 2014. In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, celebs have been using their platforms to speak out about police brutality.

LOS ANGELES – Family members of four passengers killed in a helicopter crash with Kobe Bryant and his daughter have joined the NBA star's widow in filing wrongful death lawsuits against the companies that owned and operated the aircraft. The suits on behalf of three members of one family, and a woman who helped coach Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter in basketball, were filed electronically Sunday in Los Angeles Superior Court. One suit was filed by two surviving children of Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli and his wife Keri. Zobayan had nearly navigated the helicopter out of blinding clouds when the aircraft suddenly turned and plunged into the mountainside. Also killed in the crash were Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton, who was another of Gianna’s teammates.

Kobe Bryant's widow is "absolutely devastated" by allegations that first responders shared photos from the helicopter crash that killed the NBA legend, their 13-year-old daughter and seven other people, an attorney for Vanessa Bryant says. Gary C. Robb issued a statement after reports that deputies from Los Angeles County sheriff's and fire departments shared photos of the January 26 accident. Vanessa Bryant personally went to the sheriff's office the day of the crash and asked it be protected from photographers "to protect the dignity of all the victims and their families," Robb said. This is an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families. CNN has reached out to the Los Angeles County Fire Department for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant’s wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter Monday at a packed memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles. Speaking at times through tears, Vanessa Bryant praised her husband’s devotion to their family as she addressed thousands of fans gathered at Staples Center to remember Bryant and 13-year-old Gianna. After Jimmy Kimmel welcomed the crowd, Vanessa Bryant remembered the family’s life with Gianna and her three siblings and then eulogized her husband. Kobe Bryant was a passionate advocate for women’s basketball, and Gigi Bryant was a promising young player. Bryant remained one of the most popular figures in Los Angeles well into retirement.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Kobe Bryant's widow sued the owner and operator of the helicopter that crashed in fog and killed the former Los Angeles Lakers star and their 13-year-old daughter last month as she publicly mourned their deaths Monday in an emotional public ceremony. The lawsuit names Island Express Helicopters Inc., operator of the service, and Island Express Holding Corp., owner of the craft. Calls to Island Express Inc. seeking comment were not answered, and its voicemail was full. The NTSB hasn’t concluded what caused the crash on the outskirts of Los Angeles County but said there was no sign of mechanical failure. Island Express Inc. issued a statement Jan. 30 on its website saying the shock of the crash had prompted it to suspend service until it was appropriate for staff and customers.

“I couldn't see him as a celebrity, nor just an incredible basketball player,” Vanessa Bryant said. After Jimmy Kimmel welcomed the crowd, Vanessa Bryant provided a poignant window into the family's life with Gianna and her three sisters — Natalia, Bianka and Capri. “God knew they couldn't be on this Earth without each other,” said Vanessa Bryant, who had been with Kobe since 1999. Kobe Bryant was a passionate advocate for women’s basketball, and Gigi Bryant was a promising young player who aspired to play at UConn. Hours before the service, Vanessa Bryant sued the owner of the helicopter that crashed in the fog.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Vanessa Bryant expressed grief and anger in an Instagram post Monday as she copes with the deaths of her husband Kobe Bryant, their daughter Gigi and seven other people in a helicopter crash last month. “My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone,” she wrote. “It’s like I’m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me. Please continue to pray for all.”The social media post included a video feature from Slam Magazine about Kobe Bryant coaching their daughter Gianna’s basketball team. Also killed in the crash were pilot Ara Zobayan and Bryant friends Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton.

(AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Kobe Bryant 's widow announced Friday that a “celebration of life” memorial will be held on Feb. 24 at the Staples Center to honor her late husband and 13-year-old daughter Gianna. They and seven others died in a helicopter crash last month. Vanessa Bryant posted a graphic on Instagram morning to announce the service, a day after reports surfaced about the memorial. A large memorial of flowers and mementos outside Staples Center was removed earlier this week. Also killed in the crash were pilot Ara Zobayan and Bryant friends Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton.

People queue up to buy face masks at a cosmetics shop in Hong Kong, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today:1. DEATH TOLL RISES FROM CHINA VIRUS At least 170 are dead and more countries reported infections as foreign evacuees from hard-hit Wuhan return home to medical observation and even isolation. YOU’RE LIVING A LITTLE LONGER Life expectancy in the U.S. is up for the first time in four years — about a month. The rise is due to lower death rates for cancer and drug overdoses.

We definitely need them,” Vanessa Bryant wrote. “There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now,” Vanessa Bryant wrote. “I’m not sure what our lives hold beyond today, and it’s impossible to imagine life without them,” Vanessa Bryant wrote. Have them here with us, forever.”There has been no announcement on funeral or memorial plans yet for Kobe and Gianna Bryant. Vanessa Bryant asked for continued respect of her family’s privacy as it begins to “navigate this new reality.”___More AP coverage of the life and death of Kobe Bryant: https://apnews.com/KobeBryant___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports