Jackson Family Can Still Sue

A judge in Los Angeles ruled Feb. 2 that Michael Jackson’s mother can move forward with her five-count lawsuit against AEG, which alleges the concert promoter was responsible for several medical decisions that led to Jackson’s death.

Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos turned down AEG’s motion to dismiss the suit on grounds that the company was not responsible for medical decisions made by Dr. Conrad Murray, who’s pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter for Jackson’s death.

AEG attorneys have argued in court that Jackson, who hired Murray, was responsible for his own medical decisions and that there was no way the promoter could have foreseen that Murray’s decisions would lead to the singer’s death.

The suit, filed Sept. 15, asks for unspecified actual and punitive damages on behalf of Katherine Jackson and her son’s three children, alleging that AEG Live breached its duty by “putting its desire for massive profits from the Tour over the health and safety of Michael Jackson.”

Palazuelos ruled in court that Jackson’s lawyers will need to show evidence of fraud, negligent infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy.

A case management conference has been scheduled for March 22.