The family of an elderly woman who was moved from her hospital bed to accommodate Michael Jackson is suing the pop star.
The eight children of MANUELA GOMEZ RUIZ filed suit on Thursday (15FEB07) alleging Jackson and celebrity-obsessed hospital staff moved their mother out of her death bed and tormented her family.
The lawsuit claims she was "treated like cargo" and roughly moved from her emergency room bed when Jackson arrived at the hospital complaining of abdominal pains during his child molestation trial.
The THRILLER singer demanded two beds after going to the Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, California on 15 February 2005.
Gomez, 74, died later that night. Her family is accusing Jackson and the hospital of inflicting emotional distress and of negligence, elder abuse, false imprisonment and conspiracy.
According to hospital spokeswoman AMY SILVA, "We are confident the care provided to Mrs Ruiz was exceptional."