Woman's family threatens to sue Michael Jackson,
hospital
The Associated
Press
February 25,
2005
A hospital's focus
on accommodating a flu-stricken Michael Jackson contributed to the death of an
elderly patient, according to members of the woman's family who on Friday
threatened to sue the pop star and the hospital.
The family of Manuela
Gomez Ruiz, 74, told ABC's "Good Morning America" that she was relocated from
Marian Medical Center's primary trauma room to a smaller room so Jackson could
have the larger room when he was admitted last week. Ruiz was being treated for
a heart attack, the family said, and had two more heart attacks after being
moved and died the same day.
Jackson's overnight hospitalization ended
Feb. 16, forcing a postponement of jury selection in his child molestation case.
That selection process concluded Thursday.
Ruiz family members said they
have hired an attorney and plan to sue the hospital and Jackson.
Maria
Elena Ortiz said she objected to her mother being moved when Jackson arrived at
the hospital the morning of Feb. 15.
"Why does she have to be moved if
he's coming in for a stomach flu?" Ortiz told ABC. "I said, 'My mother just had
a heart attack and I think it's more critical than a stomach flu.' They didn't
say anything."
Ortiz did not immediately return a telephone call Friday
from The Associated Press.
Jackson publicist Raymone Bain blasted the ABC
News report in a statement in which the singer offered his condolences to the
Ruiz family.
"It is outrageous that Michael Jackson's name would be
invoked into a situation of which he had no authority or control. He was a
patient himself," the statement said.
The hospital in a statement also
offered condolences to Ruiz's family, but said that patient privacy laws and
hospital rules prevented comment specific to Ruiz's care.
"We are
confident, however, that our patients have and continue to receive high-quality,
compassionate and timely care," the statement said.
