Static Major Death Allegedly From Medical Negligence, Lawsuit Filed

Static Major's abrupt death last year was caused by complications associated with his treatment at a hospital in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Static, who co-wrote and produced Lil Wayne's hit single "Lollipop” checked into the Baptist Hospital East on February 25th 2008 complaining of flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath and ended up dead hours later.The cause of Static’s death was unknown when news of his passing surfaced but according to a recent report by The Leo Weekly, Static’s autopsy reveals that his death was connected to the treatment he received at the hospital.Static (born Stephen Garrett) was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disease, after number of tests at the hospital on the day of his death. Muscle weakness and fatigue are among the diseases’ symptoms.Doctors recommended that Static should undergo plasmapheresis, a treatment that removes toxins from the blood using a catheter. To receive the treatment, Static had to stay in the hospital to be monitored overnight prior to surgery the following morning.Dr. Dean J. Wickel would conduct the plasmapheresis. After the procedure, Static would complain to nurse Denise Richards about having pain in his internal organs.Wickel would instruct Richards to remove the catheter from Static who would then pass out after it was pulled out. Static didn’t regain consciousness after the catheter’s removal and died.Static’s family has filed a medical negligence lawsuit against Baptist Hospital and Wikel.Nurse Richards testified in a deposition last month that Wickel told her to remove the catheter because it was in the wrong place.An incorrect insertion of the catheter can lead to excessive bleeding or lung puncture. Static’s autopsy report says he died due to respiratory arrest after the removal of the catheter.Larry Franklin, the lawyer representing Static’s family, has asked the judge in the case to order Baptist East to reveal the identity of Static's roommate at the hospital.Franklin believes that the roommate would have heard the conversations between Static and the hospital staff and would have also witnessed the last moments before the singer/producer’s demise.The hospital’s legal team has refused to reveal the roommate’s identity citing a privacy law that protects a patient’s identity. The law is called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).They also argue that revealing the patient’s identity could end up in inappropriate disclosure of the patient’s personal health information."If this patient becomes a witness to this suit, he will be subjected to scrutiny and potential embarrassment," the hospital’s legal team argued.Static’s family wants a jury judgment for compensatory and punitive damages, along with costs associated with pain and suffering.Static, who crafted hits for Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Nas and Ginuwine, was 33-years-old when he died. He is survived by a wife and four children.