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 withJackson’s death. Authorities claim he administered a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol toJackson 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.
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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/celebritydocket
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.