Civil Wrongful Death Lawsuits Proceed against Conrad Murray

Following last week’s criminal conviction of Conrad Murray, the doctor who fatally administered the propofol anesthetic to Michael Jackson, the civil lawsuits alleging wrongful death against Murray are already underway.  The pop star’s family filed separate wrongful death suits in 2010 against Conrad Murray and AEG Live LLC, which organized Jackson’s “This is It” tour.  The two lawsuits may be merged, but in light of Murray’s guilty conviction in criminal court, they are likely to settle out of civil court than proceed to trial.

A legal cause of action for wrongful death is based on a tort such as negligence.  The personal representative brings a lawsuit in the name of the deceased and for the benefit of the survivors.  To recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida based on negligence, the plaintiff (person bringing the suit) must prove that the defendant (in this case Conrad Murray, as Michael Jackson’s physician) owed a duty of care based on the standard of care for doctors in his field , that he fell below that standard of care, and that this negligence caused the death of Jackson.  Therefore, to prove medical malpractice resulting in wrongful death, Jackson’s family must prove that Conrad Murray administered lethal levels of propofol to Jackson.  Murray’s criminal conviction may be used as conclusive evidence against him in the civil lawsuit.

At Perenich The Law Firm, our wrongful death attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience in holding those responsible for the tragic and often deaths of innocent victims.  Our offices are conveniently located throughout the Tampa Bay, Florida area, including Clearwater,  St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, and New Port Richey.