The lawsuit filed against Marian Medical Center alleging intentional infliction of emotional and mental distress and elder abuse related to a visit by superstar Michael Jackson to the hospital has been dismissed.
The suit was filed in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria in February 2007 by the family of Manuela Gomez Ruiz of Santa Maria, who died at the hospital in February 2005 at the age of 73. Michael Jackson was originally named in the suit as well however, in April, Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville removed Jackson as a defendant.
According to the complaint filed by the plaintiffs, the hospital moved Ruiz while she was being treated to make space for Jackson to be examined. Jackson was brought to the hospital in 2005 while he was on trial for child molestation and other charges. Ruiz died at Marian Medical Center shortly after she was reportedly moved to another hospital room in order to give room to Jackson, who was ultimately found not guilty on all charges.
The plaintiffs in the case, together with their attorney James McKiernan, filed a request to dismiss the case on Aug. 19. A reason for the dismissal being sought was not listed in the court documents and McKiernan could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.
A trial date had been set for Oct. 27, but the civil clerk’s office in Santa Maria reported that all future court appearances for the case have been cancelled.
Source: Santa Maria Times
