AEG Live cleared in Michael Jackson’s wrongful death
The promotion company AEG Live recently prevailed in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against it by the family of pop superstar Michael Jackson for Jackson’s 2009 death. The wrongful death suit alleged that the company sent the singer out on a concert tour despite signs of his poor health, which directly lead to his death. The lawsuit also alleged that the company did not properly investigate the doctor that gave Jackson the prescription drugs that caused his death.
The jury in the case found that, while the doctor caused Jackson’s death, he was not unqualified for the position he was hired for, and, thus, the company was not liable for Jackson’s death. Jurors deliberated on the verdict for over three days, and viewed a DVD of Jackson’s final concert performances.
Wrongful death lawsuits, like this case, are brought on behalf of the deceased by a personal representative, such as an attorney or family member. They are brought in situations where it is alleged that the negligence of a person or an institution caused the death of the decedent. To prevail, the plaintiff must prove that the person or institution breached a duty of ordinary care towards the victim, causing his or her death.
Anyone who has lost a loved one or a family member to a wrongful death is entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages from the defendant for the negligence. The victim’s family is entitled to monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and any other consequences of the wrongful death.
Source: NBC News, “http://www.nbcnews.com/entertainment/jackson-family-loses-wrongful-death-suit-against-concert-promoter-8C11277572,” Maria Elena Fernandez, Oct. 2, 2013.