Legendary Motown group Four Tops’ lead singer has filed a lawsuit against a Michigan hospital alleging racial discrimination after staff dismissed his claims of being in the band and put him in a restrictive jacket.
Alexander Morris, 53, a Black man who joined the iconic vocal quartet in 2018, arrived at Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital in Warren on April 7, 2023, with “clear symptoms of heart disease.”
However, when he informed nurses and security personnel in the emergency room that he was a member of Four Tops and had security concerns due to followers and fans, they did not believe him, the lawsuit said. Instead, a doctor requested a psychological evaluation, and he was detained for at least an hour and a half.
The lawsuit accuses the hospital and two employees—a nurse and a security guard—of negligence, racial discrimination, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“It was a horrific experience to be in a medical emergency situation, placed in restraints, deprived of oxygen, stripped of personal belongings, and receiving no assistance from doctors and nurses because of my skin color. Racial profiling nearly cost me my life,” Morris said in a statement provided by his attorney on Tuesday.
Morris has a “significant history of heart disease,” including arterial stent placement and pacemaker implantation.
During his hospitalization, he was ultimately diagnosed with congestive heart failure, potential need for heart transplant, pneumonia, and experienced three seizures while admitted.
However, his treatment was delayed as hospital staff did not believe he was a member of the famous Four Tops group.
After undergoing procedures, a nurse recognized him from a video performing at the Grammy Awards. The evaluation was canceled upon the doctor’s return.
The lawsuit alleges Morris was ignored when he complained of shortness of breath and requested oxygen. It also claims he was disregarded when he asked for the removal of the restraint equipment and retrieval of belongings to seek treatment at another hospital.
Despite receiving a $25 Meijer gift card as an apology, Morris refused it.
The lawsuit states that this ordeal caused significant mental and emotional distress, demanding compensation of over $75,000 in damages.
“I’ve seen all these social media posts like ‘driving while Black,’ ‘walking while Black,’ but I never imagined I would become a victim of ‘being sick while Black.’ I filed this lawsuit to hold the hospital accountable for their treatment of me and to protect future generations from racial discrimination in healthcare,” Morris stated.
An Ascension hospital spokesperson said on Tuesday: “We do not tolerate any form of racial discrimination. We will not comment on pending litigation.”
“The health, safety, and well-being of patients, associates, and the community remain our top priority. We remain committed to honoring human dignity and acting with integrity and compassion towards all individuals and communities,” the spokesperson added.
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