Celebrity Cases of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is a risk to anyone who seeks treatment or other procedures–even celebrities. Those injured by negligent health care providers and the families of those killed can seek compensation with the help of an attorney.

The following celebrities have been victims of medical negligence and their families have sought retribution in highly publicized cases over the last decade:

Michael Jackson – This is the most famous case of medical malpractice in recent years. While most know that Michael died of a drug overdose, his estate sued Dr. Conrad Murray for medical malpractice–in particular, for prescribing and administering to him excessive and unnecessary amounts of a drug called propofol, and for failing to call 911 immediately. During Murray's criminal trial versus the state, a cardiologist testified that had Murray reported the emergency immediately, Michael Jackson could have been saved. Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and is currently serving a four-year prison term.


John Ritter – In 2003, actor John Ritter died of an aortic dissection. His widow alleged that the tear in his artery had been misdiagnosed at least twice before, and should have been discovered in an X-ray. She sued the California hospital responsible, eventually arriving at a settlement.

Donda West – Rapper Kanye West's mother died in 2007 after suffering complications from cosmetic surgery. Afterwards, it was discovered that her surgeon, Dr. Jan Adams, had been sued twice before for medical malpractice and settled both times and had also faced personal criminal legal troubles relating to drunk driving and DUIs.

Consult an attorney if you or a loved one were a victim of medical malpractice in Chicago.