Michael Jackson’s mother has been ordered by a US court to pay AEG Live $800,000 (£480,000) for costs defending the failed negligence case she brought against the concert promoter.
The company was cleared of liability over the 2009 death of the pop star in a five-month trail last October.
AEG Live had sought $1.2m (£720,000) to cover costs, but Katherine Jackson’s lawyers claimed it was not justified.
Both parties agreed not to challenge the court’s decision, but may appeal.
The exact amount to be paid is expected to be finalised after AEG Live submits an amended list of its costs for items such as court filing fees and travel.
AEG Live’s lawyer Marvin Putnam said the court did the right thing “by ordering Katherine Jackson to pay nearly $1m (£600,000) spent in having to defend a matter that she should have never brought in the first place”.
Mrs Jackson’s lawyer Kevin Boyle said the costs would be borne by her and the singer’s three children, all of whom are supported by his estate.
Mr Boyle added a decision on whether to appeal the order would be made after AEG Live’s costs are finalised.
The Jackson family sued the company in 2010 claiming it negligently hired and supervised cardiologist Conrad Murray, who gave the singer a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol as a sleep aid during his planned comeback tour.
However a jury concluded the doctor was not unfit or incompetent to do his job and so AEG Live had not been negligent in hiring him.
Murray – who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering the drug – was released from jail last October.
Source: BBC
The company was cleared of liability over the 2009 death of the pop star in a five-month trail last October.
AEG Live had sought $1.2m (£720,000) to cover costs, but Katherine Jackson’s lawyers claimed it was not justified.
Both parties agreed not to challenge the court’s decision, but may appeal.
The exact amount to be paid is expected to be finalised after AEG Live submits an amended list of its costs for items such as court filing fees and travel.
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| Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine, had hoped for a retrial against AEG Live, but lost her bid in January |
Mrs Jackson’s lawyer Kevin Boyle said the costs would be borne by her and the singer’s three children, all of whom are supported by his estate.
Mr Boyle added a decision on whether to appeal the order would be made after AEG Live’s costs are finalised.
The Jackson family sued the company in 2010 claiming it negligently hired and supervised cardiologist Conrad Murray, who gave the singer a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol as a sleep aid during his planned comeback tour.
However a jury concluded the doctor was not unfit or incompetent to do his job and so AEG Live had not been negligent in hiring him.
Murray – who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering the drug – was released from jail last October.
Source: BBC
