Released on: April 10, 2008, 10:20 pm

Press Release Author: Masry and Vititoe

Industry: Law

Press Release Summary: Partner of the elite legal team of Masry and Vititoe,
Podhurst Orseck filed 59 wrongful death lawsuits for the families of passengers
killed on July 17, 2007 aboard Brazil's TAM Airlines Flight 3054.

Press Release Body: The Law Office of Masry and Vititoe is familiar to the public as
the firm depicted in the academy award winning film, \"Erin Brockovich,\" starring
Julia Roberts.

The 59 wrongful death lawsuits stem from the notorious Flight 3054, the worst
airline disaster in Brazil's history, when the A320 TAM Linhas Aareas aircraft
attempted landing at Sao Paolo's Congonhas airport and slammed into an air cargo
building, killing 199 people (187 aboard the plane and 12 ground crew). Aware that
the thrust reverser (an instrument that helps planes slow down on landings) had been
deactivated during a maintenance check, the pilots mishandled the landing
procedures. The parties included in the lawsuits are TAM, leasing company Pegasus
Aviation, Airbus, Airbus Customer Services, Goodrich (thrust reverser provider) and
International Aero Engines.

The devastation was compounded when, within hours of the disaster, TAM released the
passenger manifest via the internet. Abandoning the families of the crash victims to
draw their own conclusions, Tam neglected to assign personal contact with the
families of the victimized passengers to notify them of their loss.

In prior airline crash cases, Masry and Vititoe has partnered with internationally
recognized Florida-based aviation attorneys Podhurst Orseck. In addition to the Tam
Flight 3054 case, together they also currently represent families of the passengers
aboard the Gol Transportes Aeros Flight #1907 that collided with an Embraer Legacy
600 business jet over the Amazon Rainforest in September 2006. They also represent
victims\' families in the Sibir Airlines crash that involved the same type of Airbus
under similar circumstances; they too attempted landing in the rain, failed to stop
and crashed into a building resulting in catastrophic loss of life.

About Masry and Vititoe
Masry and Vititoe is a leading law firm whose compassionate policy of keeping in
personal contact further supports their clients\' comfort and confidence. The Masry
and Vititoe firm has been defending the rights of the victims of negligence for over
30 years. Famous as the firm on which the Award winning movie "Erin Brockovich" was
based, Masry and Vititoe is known for pursuing the rights of individuals who have
suffered acute and chronic chemical exposure. They represent thousands of injured
persons throughout the country, from Hawaii to the East Coast, and on their behalf
have fearlessly combated and prevailed against some of the world\'s largest
corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, public utilities and oil companies.


Web Site: http://www.masryvititoe.com

Contact Details: 5707 Corsa Ave., Second Floor
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Voice: (818) 991-8900
Fax: (818) 991-6200