The family of a woman who died after being moved from a hospital suite to make way for Michael Jackson are suing both the medical facility and the singer, claiming that an "abuse of celebrity status" led to her death.
Those with good memories will remember the family of Manuela Gomez Ruiz spoke out about the treatment of their mother at the time of her death in 2005. Ruiz was being treated at the Marian Medical Centre when Jackson was admitted there, just as his high profile child abuse trial kicked off, suffering from flu like symptoms. The Ruiz family claim Manuela was kicked out of a two-bed trauma unit to make way for Jacko. The decision to move the woman in that way led, the family claim, to her death.
James McKiernan, representing the family, says that there was "a circus-like atmosphere at the hospital" after Jackson's arrival, and alleges that management there gave in to demands made by the singer which meant a desperately ill Ruiz was unnecessarily moved to make room for a mildly ill Jackson. That decision, McKiernan claims, meant the Ruiz family suffered "emotional and mental lasting effects".
Among the specific allegations being made against the hospital and Jacko, are negligent infliction of emotional distress, elder abuse, false imprisonment and conspiracy. The lawsuit concludes: "Manuela Ruiz was dying. Michael Jackson was also dying ... dying not to go to court that day".
Jacko's people are yet to comment, but management for the medical centre have described the lawsuit as "another frivolous claim to generate publicity". While expressing sympathy for the Ruiz family's loss, they say "patient care and safety is always our priority" and that that had been the case in their treatment of Manuela, even after Jacko's arrival at the hospital.