ASSOCIATED PRESS updated 3:37 p.m. PT,
Fri., Feb. 19, 2010
LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson's father can receive
some medical records related to his superstar son's
death, a judge ruled Friday.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff
ruled that Joe Jackson can receive his son's medical
records from the hospital where he died. The judge
will review the records first before releasing them
to Joe Jackson's attorney, Brian Oxman. Beckloff
also said the men can only receive records generated
on or after June 25 — the day Michael Jackson died
at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Oxman sought the files as part of an effort to obtain
a monthly stipend for the Jackson family patriarch.
He said during a hearing last week that he also needs
the records to decide whether to pursue a wrongful
death lawsuit
Beckloff's order states a medical expert hired by Joe
Jackson can review the files, but not copy them.
Anyone who sees the records will be required to sign
a confidentiality agreement, the ruling states.
Jackson's estate had sought to quash subpoenas that
Oxman issued for the files. Attorneys for the estate
argued during a hearing last week that Beckloff should
review the files first. They also stated the files
shouldn'tbe released until after the results of a May
hearing on Joe Jackson's stipend bid.
Oxman said he was pleased with the ruling and expects
to have the records soon.
Beckloff is going to verify the records do not violate
doctor-patient confidentiality. Oxman said he didn't
expect that to be an issue.
"We are very certain based on prior records that we
have from the paramedics that Michael was long
deceased and that there were no communications
(with doctors)," Oxman said.
He said Joe Jackson deserves to know more about
how his son died and the records will also be important
in his quest to receive an allowance of more than
$15,000 per month.
Howard Weitzman, an attorney for Jackson's estate,
said the ruling properly incorporates suggestions
attorneys raised last week.
"The estate feels the court's order adequately protects
Michael's interests," Weitzman said.
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