Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 1:48 pm Post subject: Alexander Morris, lead singer of the Four Tops, sues hospital that allegedly labeled him delusional in ER visit
Motown Singer Sues Hospital That Allegedly Labeled Him ‘Delusional’ During Scary ER Visit
Four Tops crooner Alexander Morris claims he was physically restrained and deprived of necessary treatment - until his wife showed them a video of him performing at the Grammys.
The lead singer of Motown group The Four Tops is suing a Detroit-area hospital over allegations that staffers “assumed he was mentally ill” and put him in a straight jacket when he informed them that he was a famous musician.
In a complaint filed Monday in Michigan federal court, singer Alexander Morris claims that when he visited the emergency room at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in April 2023 with difficulty breathing and chest pain, he was both racially profiled and unfairly treated as if he was “delusional.”
Even though he was showing “clear symptoms of cardiac distress” and had a history of such problems, Morris says that staffers removed him from oxygen support and ordered a psychological evaluation after he “revealed his identity as a celebrity figure.” When he offered to prove his identity, Morris says a white security guard ordered him to “sit his Black ass down” and physically restrained him.
“Plaintiff had a valid identification on his person and could easily have been identified as a singer in the Four Tops group,” attorneys for Morris’ write. “Defendant hospital … blatantly refused to provide plaintiff with medical treatment due to his race and/or perceived mental disability.”
Eventually, Morris says, his wife arrived and learned “that the doctors thought he was delusional.” When he was able to show a nurse a “video of him performing at the Grammys,” he says the hospital finally agreed to cancel the psych evaluation. He was ultimately diagnosed with heart infraction – and offered what he says was an insulting mea culpa.
“Plaintiff was offered a $25.00 gift card to Meijers as an apology for the dehumanization and discrimination he faced at the hands of the hospital,” the singer’s attorneys write. “He refused to accept the gift card.”
Founded in the early 1950s, The Four Tops roared to widespread success in the 1960s and fueled the rise of the growing Motown record company. The original lineup, consisting of Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton, stuck together for more than 40 years and are enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fakir is the sole original member still in the group.
Morris, who joined the group in 2019, had already publicized his alleged ordeal in the past. Last spring, he threatened to sue over the alleged incident, claiming that it would have taken “two minutes” to verify his identity: “My health should’ve been first.”
In a statement to Billboard on Tuesday, a spokesperson for hospital owner Ascension said the company was “unable to provide details on cases under investigation.”
“The health, safety and well-being of our patients, associates and community members remains our top priority,” the spokesperson said. “We remain committed to honoring human dignity and acting with integrity and compassion for all persons and the community. We do not condone racial discrimination of any kind.”
Why aren't Holland Dozier Holland in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (think Baby I Need your Loving, I Can't Help Myself, It's the Same old Song and sooooooooooooooooooo many more)????? _________________ Hey Doge, ever hear of “measure twice, cut once?” It is not cut first and measure later.
Why aren't Holland Dozier Holland in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (think Baby I Need your Loving, I Can't Help Myself, It's the Same old Song and sooooooooooooooooooo many more)?????
Their catalog is the size of the 1979 NYC White Pages, _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 35795 Location: Anaheim, CA
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2024 10:37 pm Post subject:
ribeye wrote:
Which reminds me of a tangent, but related:
Why aren't Holland Dozier Holland in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (think Baby I Need your Loving, I Can't Help Myself, It's the Same old Song and sooooooooooooooooooo many more)?????
Still pisses me off that Toto isn't in. So many top hits, so many albums sold, and some of their members served as session musicians for some of the biggest acts in history. Anyway, this story sucks, and I love the Four Tops.
Why aren't Holland Dozier Holland in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (think Baby I Need your Loving, I Can't Help Myself, It's the Same old Song and sooooooooooooooooooo many more)?????
Still pisses me off that Toto isn't in. So many top hits, so many albums sold, and some of their members served as session musicians for some of the biggest acts in history. Anyway, this story sucks, and I love the Four Tops.
Well, this won't remedy your concern, but it might give just a bit of satisfaction. (Sorry BBF for doing it again)
_________________ Hey Doge, ever hear of “measure twice, cut once?” It is not cut first and measure later.
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90892 Location: Formerly Known As 24
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2024 8:54 am Post subject:
LongBeachPoly wrote:
Weird story.
Why would he need to prove that he’s a famous singer to get treatment?
How does that even come up?
Quote:
Morris: I need help
Hospital: Are you a famous Motown singer?
Morris: yes!
Hospital: you’re delusional. We can’t help you.
Morris’ wife: Here look at this youtube video. He is a famous singer. Now please help him.
Hospital: ok, looks like you are a famous Motown singer. We can help you now.
He should have complied, amirite? _________________ Hoy por ellos, mañana por nosotros
“You see, in this world, there is one awful thing, and that is that everyone has his reasons“
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