News
Entertainment & Sports
Feb. 28, 2002
Virgin Records Faces Suit in Singer's Death
LOS ANGELES - The families of two men who died in the plane crash that also killed singer and actress Aaliyah in the Bahamas last August filed wrongful death lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court Wednesday against Virgin Records America Inc..
LOS ANGELES - The families of two men who died in the plane crash that also killed singer and actress Aaliyah in the Bahamas last August filed wrongful death lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court Wednesday against Virgin Records America Inc..
The suits, one filed by the family of Anthony Dodd, 34, the other by the family of Eric Forman, 29 - both of whom were hair stylists for Aaliyah - allege that Virgin put profits ahead of safety by choosing a plane that was too small to carry nine people and their luggage.
All nine people aboard the plane died in the crash shortly after takeoff. Manuel v. Virgin Records America Inc., BC268923 and Williams v. Virgin Records America Inc., BC268924 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Feb. 27, 2002).
"This record company is making a profit while these victims' families suffer," said Brian Panish of Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler, lead counsel in both suits.
The video Aaliyah was making in the Bahamas, "Rock the Boat," was released posthumously.
A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board indicates that the plane weight exceeded the maximum amount allowable, according to the complaint.
The suit also names affiliates of Virgin and companies associated with the chartered plane. A representative for Virgin Records could not be reached for comment.
The suits, one filed by the family of Anthony Dodd, 34, the other by the family of Eric Forman, 29 - both of whom were hair stylists for Aaliyah - allege that Virgin put profits ahead of safety by choosing a plane that was too small to carry nine people and their luggage.
All nine people aboard the plane died in the crash shortly after takeoff. Manuel v. Virgin Records America Inc., BC268923 and Williams v. Virgin Records America Inc., BC268924 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Feb. 27, 2002).
"This record company is making a profit while these victims' families suffer," said Brian Panish of Greene, Broillet, Panish & Wheeler, lead counsel in both suits.
The video Aaliyah was making in the Bahamas, "Rock the Boat," was released posthumously.
A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board indicates that the plane weight exceeded the maximum amount allowable, according to the complaint.
The suit also names affiliates of Virgin and companies associated with the chartered plane. A representative for Virgin Records could not be reached for comment.
- Erin Carroll
#337618
Erin Carroll
Daily Journal Staff Writer
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