LOS ANGELES(AP)
Ed McMahon sued a hospital, two doctors and an investment tycoon
Friday over a neck injury he has said has left him unable to work,
a circumstance he has blamed for his recent money woes.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount, claiming negligence,
battery, elder abuse and intentional infliction of emotional
distress. It was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, two doctors, and the owner of a home
where he says he fell in March 2007.
The former "The Tonight Show" sidekick claims that
Cedars-Sinai and its doctors originally discharged him with a
broken neck and didn't adequately conduct two surgeries.
McMahon's suit states his cardiologist later discovered that
his neck was broken.
Cedars-Sinai has not been served with the lawsuit and could not
comment on the allegations, said Simi Singer, a hospital
spokeswoman.
Also named in the lawsuit is Robert Day, who owns an investment
firm and has been on Forbes' list of richest Americans in
previous years, and his wife. McMahon claims a ramp-like staircase
where he attended a dinner party was "unsafe" because it
was poorly lit and lacked handrails.
A message left after hours at Day's company was not returned
Friday afternoon.
The lawsuit gives new insights into the neck injuries McMahon
discussed in a recent appearance on "Larry King Live."
McMahon, 85, explained that he was unable to work as a pitchman
because of his injuries _ and that is why he fell $644,000 behind
on mortgage payments on his Beverly Hills home.
"If you spend more money than you make, you know what
happens," McMahon said at the time. "You know, a couple
of divorces thrown in, a few things like that. And, you know,
things happen."
McMahon has had to undergo three surgeries to try to repair his
neck, the lawsuit states. The most recent one was performed on July
11.
McMahon's suit includes letters mailed earlier this year to
the hospital informing them a lawsuit could be filed.
"We had hoped to avoid a lawsuit, but our discussions were
not fruitful and we were left with no other option. That being
said, we believe our suit has great merit and we expect a favorable
resolution," said Howard Bragman, spokesman for Ed
McMahon.
McMahon's mounting money problems include a lawsuit against
him by Citibank, which is trying to recoup nearly $200,000 it said
it loaned McMahon and his wife, Pam.
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