Negligence and Michael Jackson
On October 2, 2013, a jury found AEG Live not liable for negligence in the case of KATHERINE JACKSON, ET. AL. VS. AEG LIVE LLC, ET. AL. (Los Angeles Superior Court Case #: BC445597). The case was filed by the family of Michael Jackson, one of the world’s biggest Pop Stars. The verdict shocked not only many people around the globe but some legal scholars as well. But what exactly is “negligence?”
In a law dictionary, negligence is defined as “Failure to exercise the care toward others which a reasonable or prudent person would do in the circumstances, or taking action which such a reasonable person would not.” In this case, Michael Jackson’s mother (Katherine) and his three children (Prince, Paris, & Blanket), all party to the lawsuit, claimed that AEG Live was negligent in hiring Doctor Conrad Murray, which ultimately led to the death of the famous “King of Pop.”
After a lengthy court battle spanning over several months, the jury ruled that AEG Live could not be held responsible for the death of Jackson because it was not the company’s responsibility to protect Jackson’s health. AEG Live contested that they had hired Dr. Murray to look after Jackson’s health, so it was in fact the doctor’s sole responsibility and not theirs. However, many opposed the verdict, arguing that it was in fact AEG Live that hired Dr. Conrad Murray who ultimately issued Michael the fatal dose of anesthetic. Hence, AEG Live should be held responsible for the Doctor’s actions.
In conclusion, as one of the jurors stated “There are no winners in this. Somebody had to die for us to be here… itwas really a tragic situation.” The death of Michael Jackson was truly a tragedy, however Katherine Jackson’s attorney could not convince a jury that AEG Live was negligent in hiring Doctor Murray.
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