Following several months in courtroom packed with extensive testimonies given by 50+ witnesses, Michael Jackson’s wrongful death trial will soon be brought to a close. Jackson’s family members filed the wrongful death suit against the artist’s concert promoter, AEG Live. Over $1 billion could potentially lie at stake.
Back in 2009, Jackson was preparing for a final set of career performances comprised of 50 night shows in London’s 02 arena. Just days before the series’ opening night was set to begin that June, Michael’s sudden death from acute Propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication stunned the entertainment world and fans around the globe.
Liability / Payroll Influence Argument Culminates
This week, the jury has begun the deliberation process and will determine whether AEG was responsible for hiring and retaining the services of Dr. Conrad Murray. In a previous criminal trial, Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson’s death. Jurors were convinced that Murray directly violated his fiduciary duty as a medical doctor when he administered Propofol intravenously, as it was not medically necessary or appropriate and Murray was not licensed to legally obtain or administer the drug.
Marvin Putnam, AEG’s attorney, told reporters on Monday, “It’s been five months; they’ve heard a lot of stuff…now they have to apply the law. The facts show he (Murray) was never hired by AEG, he was hired by Michael Jackson.”
While AEG claims Murray was Jackson’s personal doctor, the Jackson family disputes their claim, insisting that AEG paid Murray’s fees and put the doctor under huge pressure to get Jackson “ready” for their highly lucrative comeback concert series. The suit alleges the doctor was on the AEG payroll and his actions were, by extension, the responsibility of AEG. The suit also accuses company reps of encouraging Murray to appease Jackson, potentially placing concert profits ahead of Jackson’s physical well-being and sound medical judgment.
Among the plaintiffs is Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, and Prince Michael and Paris Jackson, his two oldest children. Katherine and Prince Michael both provided lengthy testimony as part of the trial.
“It was the worst day of my life, and I never want to feel like that again,” Katherine Jackson told an interviewer on “60 Minutes Australia.” During the trial, reliving the experience of her father’s death was too much for Jackson’s daughter, Paris, as she had to be rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance just after 2am early one morning.
Verdict Could Equate to Historic Sums
Attorney Marc Geragos, representing the Jackson family, explained that a win for his clients could result in damages exceeding billions of dollars. The sum the family is seeking in their wrongful death suit reflects the lost income potential based on what Michael could have earned if he were still alive today. “Michael’s kids will be in college or grad school before they see the money,” Geragos noted.
Despite the jury’s decision, it is likely that the verdict will be contested and an appeals process will be underway shortly thereafter. Whether another court will hear an appeal will remain to be seen.
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