Four Tops vocalist files lawsuit against hospital, claiming racial prejudice after being forced into a restraining vest, say reports.
Alexander Morris alleges that he was put in a restraining jacket and initially denied treatment for a medical emergency after being taken to Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital in an ambulance. Moreover, he plans on suing a registered nurse and a security guard, who both worked for the hospital.
The lawsuit claims that Morris was racially discriminated against and received a lower standard of care based on his race, which led to a delayed diagnosis and constituted racial discrimination.
On April 7, 2023, Morris was admitted to the hospital, experiencing issues with his breathing, chest pain, and being on oxygen. He has a significant medical history, including the placement of stints and a defibrillator.
Upon arriving, Morris informed a nurse and a security guard that he was a member of the well-known Motown group, the 'Four Tops,' and also vocalized his security concerns due to stalkers and fans.
The complaint states that the nurse, the security guard, and an emergency room doctor categorized Morris based on their assumptions that he wasn't a singer or a member of the 'Four Tops,' as they didn't believe him when he mentioned his actual identity.
CNN attempted to contact Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital for comment, but they have not responded yet.
The lawsuit alleges that an ER doctor decided to prioritize a psychiatric evaluation instead of providing medical care intended for Morris due to his cardiac distress and his known health history.
As per the lawsuit, the hospital staff instructed a security guard to make sure Morris was restrained with a jacket or a four-point restraint mechanism.
Morris, speaking to CNN, expressed feelings of dehumanization and disrespect, saying he had "never been so demeaned in all my life."
He offered to show his identification to the hospital staff to prove his identity, but the security guard, who was white, responded with "sit your Black a** down."
The lawsuit alleges that Morris was not allowed to leave the hospital and remove the restraints, and requested to do so several times.
Morris' attorney, Maurice Davis, explained to CNN that his client was experiencing a "clear medical emergency" where he suffered chest pain linked to his cardiac history, and required prompt medical intervention.
Morris was not given his medical care until he showed a video of the Four Tops performing at the Grammy's to a nurse.
The lawsuit reports that Morris' restraints were finally removed and he received oxygen treatment as well. He was restrained for around 90 minutes in total.
Morris affirmed that his identity was verified roughly four hours after arriving at the hospital.
"It only took two minutes to prove who I was," Morris told CNN. "Instead, they thought I was crazy and wanted to send me to the psychiatric evaluation unit."
Morris was provided with a $25 gift card to a supermarket as an apology by the hospital, but he declined the offer.
"My anxiety was through the roof. I was afraid to eat anything that wasn't sealed," Morris informed CNN.
Morris mentioned feeling close to death, as he had experienced heart attacks in the past, which compromised his heart. He spent about five days in the hospital due to his condition. It is unclear if the alleged actions by the hospital played a role in Morris' subsequent health issues.
Morris emphasized, "If someone comes to your emergency room for help, prioritize their health first, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation."
Davis, Morris' attorney, stated that his client warrants compensation from the defendants for the suffering he experienced. According to the lawsuit, Morris asks for compensation in the form of unspecified damages worth over $75,000.
The lawsuit can be accessed here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24803615-alexander-morris-lawsuit.
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In the lawsuit, Morris accuses the hospital staff of categorizing him differently due to their assumptions about his identity as a singer and a member of the Four Tops, which is explicitly mentioned as being the well-known Motown group, the 'Four Tops.'
During the incident, Morris expresses his concern about his safety to the hospital staff, mentioning his membership in the Four Tops and the potential dangers posed by stalkers and fans.
