Families Of Those On Board Will Seek Damages From Rivera's Company, Aircraft Manager, Others

The families of four of the people fatally injured when a Lear 25 carrying Latina singer Jenni Rivera and six other people went down in Mexico have filed lawsuits against the singer's company, as well as the companies that owned and managed the airplane and other agencies.

Television station KTLA reports that those bringing the suit include the families of publicist Auturo Rivera, hairdresser George Vasquez, makeup artist Jacob Yeabale, and attorney Mario Pacheco.

In a news conference held in Los Angeles Thursday, attorneys Paul Kiesel and Steven Archer said the plaintiffs hold that Rivera, through her company Jenni Rivera Enterprises, was negligent when she hired the 43-year-old jet for the trip. The families are also seeking damages from Starwood Management and Rodatz financial group, which owned the jet when it went down. Also named is McOco Inc., the Lear's previous owner. Rivera's family is not named in the suit.

In the news conference, the attorney pointed out that, according to the FAA, the jet had been damaged in 2005. They also have questions about the two pilots on board. The person listed as Pilot in Command was 78 years old. The copilot was 20.

The lawyers representing the families said they would not seek punitive damages from Rivera's company. NBC Latino reports that the suit was filed in Los Angeles county rather than in Mexico because the airplane was of U.S. registry, and should have complied with U.S. safety standards.

The NTSB sent a team to Mexico to assist in the investigation.

FMI: www.lasuperiorcourt.org