Michael Jackson¡¯s family are claiming $40 billion of lost future earnings from the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), the promoters behind the Pop Icon¡¯s aborted comeback tours.
The late singer¡¯s mother Katherine, and three children, Prince, 16, Paris, 14 and Michael Jr, 10 are allegedly seeking $10.2 billion in compensation, if Jackson was still alive and able to perform, and an additional $28.8 billion for various other damages.
Initial reports have indicated that the Jackson family¡¯s alleged claim against the Entertainment group is for their negligent hiring of Conrad Murray, Jackson¡¯s personal doctor.
Murray was found guilty of singer¡¯s involuntary manslaughter in 2011, following Jackson¡¯s death in June 2009.
Jackson aged 50, died after overdosing on sedative drugs Propofol and benzodiazepine. Murray had given the singer a dose of Propofol just before his death.
Late last year, leaked emails revealed that senior executives at AEG knew of the singer¡¯s health problems prior to commencement of the ¡°This Is It¡± tour, a sold-out series of 50 comeback concerts at the O2 Arena in London.
One email reportedly described Jackson as ¡°an emotionally paralysed mess riddled with self-loathing and doubt now that it is show time¡±.
AEG, have since denied they were responsible for Murray¡¯s decision-making resulting in Jackson¡¯s death.
The entertainment company will battle the claim, which they view as ¡°preposterous¡±, because they believed Jackson¡¯s career was already in a downward spiral following child molestation allegations, as well as his self-exposed exile in the Middle East.
The Jackson family has not commented on the latest reports.
The civil case will begin in LA next month on April 2nd.