Civil and Criminal Ramifications of Michael Jackson’s Death: Malpractice, Homicide or Both?
As an experienced Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer who cut his teeth as a criminal lawyer, I have been watching the media circus surrounding Michael Jackson’s death with a certain amount of curiosity. Last week on CNN, the breaking news was that Michael Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide when in fact the unsealed court documents indicated that Michael Jackson had lethal levels of the drug Propofol in his system. It seems that the investigation is being centered on a single doctor who prescribed and administered the medicine. We haven’t heard much about the pharmacist who prescribed the drugs which are indicated for use in an operating room under controlled conditions and not in a non-surgical scenario only to be administered in special and controlled circumstances.
Certainly, it would seem to this experienced malpractice lawyer that if the doctor knew or should have known that he was wrongly prescribing and administering Propofol then in fact he would be a likely target for criminal as well as civil prosecution.
The experienced wrongful death and medical malpractice lawyers at Reiff and Bily represent individuals and their family members who have tragically lost loved ones due to medical errors, including but not limited to overdose and drug interactions or administration of the wrong medicine. Although theoretically the Estate of Michael Jackson would have a claim to seek monetary compensation for the wrongful death of Mr. Jackson caused by such alleged negligence or malpractice, I suspect that this may just be the tip of the iceberg and that further investigation will be necessary to determine whether the doctor knew what other medications were being prescribed for Mr. Jackson and who supplied this allegedly inappropriate drug.
Additionally a civil and potential criminal prosecution may lay in waiting for the pharmacy or source of this medicine.
One thing for certain is that talk shows will be abuzz with “know-it-all doctors” and lawyers each setting forth their opinions in an attempt to capitalize upon these most unfortunate circumstances surrounding the death of a musical genius.
