Wrongful Death

Medical Malpractice or Drug Addiction?
There’s a Fine Line Between the Two and it’s Called Hollywood Blvd

We’ve seen it time and time again in Hollywood.  When fame, money and power hit all too suddenly, things can get a bit out of control.   There has been no shortage of drug-related deaths in Tinsel Town, even dating as far back as films themselves.  But in this day and age of corruption in the medical field, one has to beg the question, is it always as simple as drug addiction, or is there more to dig into?

Shocking still is the death of Michael Jackson, who died at the age of 50 just over a year ago.  His doctor, Conrad Murray, has long been accused of providing Jackson with an over-abundance of prescription drugs, including a potent anesthetic propofol, which eventually caused his fatal cardiac arrest.

Seven other doctors who cared for Jackson were free of wrongful death charges in late July 2010.  Murray, not one of the 7 being investigated, had previously pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter after allegedly providing Jackson with the deadly prescription cocktail.

Joe Jackson’s attorney, Brian Oxman, says about the verdict:

“I am very disappointed.  The misuse of medications by Michael Jackson in the last years of his life was excessive and to fail to bring that to the public is ignoring reality.”

Earlier this month the wrongful death suit against Murray was being thrown out due to lack of information provided by Joe Jackson about the clinics in which Murray supposedly practiced from.  Without sufficient information on location, a judge cannot determine if the Federal Court has jurisdiction.  Joe Jackson was given one week to correct the documentation or the case would be thrown out.  Murray’s lawyer Ed Chernoff has maintained the doctor’s innocence, saying he did not administer the fatal dose of propofol and that perhaps Jackson administered it to himself.  Anesthesia experts have said the possibility of Jackson administering the drug himself is highly unlikely.  If the trial continues, Murray could face a sentence of up to 4 years.

So one has to ask if this really is a case for a medical malpractice attorney or if Jackson would have found the drugs some other way, without the help of a doctor, leaving the brunt of the responsibility in his hands.

For More Jackson Info Please Visit: Michael Jackson News

Earlier this week, reports surfaced that the late Gary Coleman had been divorced from his ex-wife, Shannon Price for nearly two years. Confirmation came through Randy Kester. “”I can confirm they’ve been divorced since Aug. 12, 2008,”" said Kester, the attorney who handled the divorce.

This led to some questions as to whether Ms. Price had the legal authority to make medical decisions for Mr. Coleman. These concerns were raised after Ms. Price allowed Mr. Coleman to be taken off of life support in late May. However, evidence has surfaced that confirms the actor had given Price written permission to make medical decisions on his behalf. Hospital officials have refused to comment further on the case. One thing in this case is certain; the actions of Gary Coleman and Shannon Price have left many people with questions.

Check back often to get the latest updates on this case and more.

Find more breaking celebrity news and information on other Hollywood divorces today!

B.I.G. was on the peak of his game and on the verge of releasing his album,  Life After Death when was shot in March of 1997.  Thirteen years after the shooting of the rapper, the wrongful death case was dismissed in April of this year.  His mother Voletta Wallace won a suit against the LAPD in 2002 and was awarded $1.1 million for the death of her son at the age of 24.  This was done with evidence submitted by the former LAPD detective Russell Poole that showed that the LAPD had the needed evidence to arrest the shooter but failed to use it.

Notorious B.I.G.

Then, two months later, when the courts found out information was withheld from the courts, the ruling was overturned.  Now, rulings later, the case has dismissed finally giving closure to the rappers death.

Price, Gary Coleman’s ex wife, defends herself and her decision to take Gary off life support.  However, although TMZ obtained this interview, in the meantime the 911 call was released to the public.  While she reports having called 911, on the tape there are numerous excuses of why she doesn’t rush downstairs to help stop Mr. Coleman’s bleeding head wound, including “I’m not down there right now because I have seizures, if I get stressed out I’m going to seize,” and “I’ve just been kind of sick. I don’t want to be traumatized right now,” and “I’m sorry, I can’t do it. I can’t. … There’s blood all over and I can’t do anything.”

Although police are still looking into this investigation, it appears that all was an accident.  If you ask me, and I were a member of Gary’s family, I would reach out to a Roanoke personal injury attorney to make sure that all Gary’s assets were covered and that he was not harmed in anyway.

Joe Jackson and his Los Angeles wrongful death attorney are planning on filing a lawsuit against Michael Jacksons Doctor, Conrad Murray. The lawsuit is claiming that a delay in calling 911 is what caused the world renowned artists death.

According to a lawyer for Joe Jackson, Michael was “long gone” by the time he arrived in the emergency room in spite of the UCLA doctors having been able to re-establish a heartbeat for a moment. According to Oxman, there are records indicating that Michael was “long gone” 20-40 minutes prior to the paramedics arriving. in a report by the prosecution, there was a statement from a witness saying that Dr. Murray ceased resuscitation efforts in order to collect propofol bottles.

A notice was sent to Dr. Conrad Murray according to Joe’s attorney, Brian Oxman informing him that a wrongful death lawsuit against him in the next 90 days is in plans. Attorney Oxman said the following:

“The bottom line is, had paramedics gotten there earlier and had they been called right away, chances are he could have been revived”.

Doctor Murray has already faced charges of involuntary manslaughter on the grounds of “acting without malice” and was free on a bail of $75,000 on the premise of “without due caution and circumspection”

In the interim, the California state medical board will be requesting that Dr. Murray be prevented from practicing medicine in California by a Judge.  California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed the documents stating that Murray “administered a lethal dose of propofol, as well as other drugs, to Michael Jackson.”