LOS ANGELES (AP) — The insurer of Michael Jackson's canceled comeback concerts has asked a judge to nullify a policy intended to protect concert promoters if the singer wasn't able to complete the shows.
Lloyd's of London sued AEG Live and Jackson's
company on Monday, claiming the concert promoter has failed to provide
necessary medical information and details about the physician charged in the
singer's death.
Lloyd's issued a non-appearance and concert
cancellation policy in April 2009 — roughly two months before the pop superstar
died. It was issued under an alias, "Mark Jones" and was supposed to
cover up to $17.5 million in liability, according to the lawsuit.
The promoter should have informed Lloyd's what it
knew about the singer's medical history, "including but not limited to,
his apparent prescription drug use and/or drug addiction," the suit
states.
Within days of the singer's death, an attorney for
AEG submitted a claim with Jackson's death certificate, the suit claims.
The insurer states a medical exam of Jackson
required by the policy was never conducted, and that they should not have to
pay out for the canceled shows scheduled for London's O2 arena.
An email message seeking comment from AEG spokesman
Michael Roth was not immediately returned.
Lloyd's lawsuit claims it has been seeking certain
information from AEG about Jackson and his personal physician, Dr. Conrad
Murray, since December 2009.
Murray is scheduled to go on trial later this year
for involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's death. Authorities
claim he administered a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol to Jackson in
the bedroom of his rented mansion, although Murray has pleaded not guilty and
his attorneys have said he did not give the singer anything that should have
killed him.
The cost of canceling the London shows was one of
the major debts facing Jackson's estate after his death.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
