A Toronto attorney has stepped forward to represent a dozen passengers aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 4819, which dramatically crash-landed at Pearson International Airport last month. The fiery incident, which occurred on February 17, left the plane upside down on the runway and has led to plans for individual legal claims against the airline.

Vincent Genova, leading the Aviation Litigation Group at Rochon Genova, confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he is now advocating for 12 Canadians who were on the ill-fated flight, which included a total of 80 people, comprising 76 passengers. Genova mentioned that while he has received inquiries from American passengers, he directed them to a U.S. attorney with whom he has collaborated on past aviation litigation.

Notably, several cases are already underway in separate jurisdictions. For instance, Hannah Krebs from Minnesota is represented by Motley Rice in a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air, while Marthinus Lourens has legal support from DJC Law in a case filed in Georgia.

Genova has opted against pursuing a class action lawsuit for strategic reasons, which he has not publicly detailed. However, a significant complaint has emerged from Tomas Eugenio Salvador Stamm, a Houston resident, who has taken legal action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. His suit declares that he sustained severe, lasting physical and psychological injuries and significant economic loss due to the crash-landing.

Salvador's attorney, Nomaan K. Husain, emphasized that the crash was the result of blatant negligence, claiming, "Delta Airlines failed in its fundamental duty to ensure passenger safety. We intend to aggressively pursue justice to ensure this never happens again."

Salvador's harrowing account reveals he was knocked unconscious during the crash after his seat violently slammed against the tarmac. When he regained consciousness, he found himself upside down, drenched in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke. After escaping the wreckage and enduring a chilling wait on the frozen tarmac, he was rushed to Humber River Hospital. His lawsuit alleges ongoing suffering from serious physical and mental injuries stemming from the recklessness of the flight crew.

The legal complaint criticizes the flight crew for not following basic safety protocols during the landing approach to Toronto and for their inadequate training. It charges that these failures represented a gross disregard for passenger safety, resulting in unnecessary harm to innocent travelers.

Salvador is seeking damages not only for his physical injuries but also for emotional distress and financial losses as he aims to bring the case before a jury. In response to the incident, Delta Air Lines initially offered $30,000 to affected passengers, claiming the gesture was unconditional and did not affect their rights. However, Genova clarified that calling this payment an "offer" is misleading; as required by the Montreal Convention, airlines must make prompter payments in the wake of accidents, with sets of conditions outlined.

While Delta Air Lines has refused to comment on ongoing litigation, they have indicated that the Transportation Safety Board of Canada is conducting its investigation into the crash.

The aftermath of this crash raises significant questions about aviation safety and the responsibilities of airlines to their passengers in distressing situations. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.