Chris Cornell’s widow, Vicky, has filed a medical malpractice suit against the late Soundgarden singer’s doctor alleging he over-prescribed drugs that eventually caused her husband to commit suicide.
Rolling Stone reports Vicky’s suit against Dr. Robert Koblin claims the physician “negligently and repeatedly” prescribed Cornell “dangerous mind-altering controlled substances… which impaired [his] cognition, clouded his judgement and caused him to engage in dangerous impulsive behaviors that he was unable to control, costing him his life.”
The suit claims Koblin prescribed Cornell over 940 doses of the anti-anxiety drug Lorazepam (also known as Ativan) between September 2015 and his death by suicide in May 2017.
At the same time, Koblin was prescribing Cornell Oxycodone, though it alleges that the doctor never conducted a medical examination of Cornell, performed any lab studies or clinical assessments.
Vicky’s suit alleges that Koblin failed to warn the singer about possible side effects of Lorazepam, which include impaired judgement and rational thinking, diminished impulse control and increased risk of suicide in addiction-prone individuals.
The suit claims Koblin knew Cornell was an “addiction-prone individual,” because Koblin was referred to Cornell through Cornell’s therapist for substance abuse.
Vicky Cornell is suing for, among other charges, negligence, failure to obtain informed consent and willful misconduct, with Koblin and Robertson Cardiovascular Center named as defendants in the suit.
"Dr. Koblin is a competent and conscientious doctor who enjoyed an excellent physician/patient relationship with Mr. Cornell and other members of his family," said Koblin’s attorney, James Kjar, in a statement. "The experts I have consulted with believe Dr. Koblin's treatment was within the standard of care in this community and were not a substantial factor in causing Mr. Cornell to commit suicide."
Cornell took his own life in a Detroit hotel room in the early hours of May 18, 2017 following a Soundgarden show in the city; he was laid to rest during a private memorial service at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles a week later.
Cornell co-founded Soundgarden with lead guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in Seattle in 1984; bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron went on to round out the band’s longtime lineup.
A new collection of the singer’s music will be released on November 16.
“Chris Cornell” presents tracks from the rocker’s extensive career – with tracks from Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, Audioslave and as a solo artist, and covers of songs by Prince and Michael Jackson.
See also:
Chris Cornell unboxing video previews new collection
VIDEO: Chris Cornell statute unveiled in Seattle
Chris Cornell collection previewed with unreleased track When Bad Does Good
Soundgarden: Chris Cornell Seattle tribute statue ceremony rescheduled
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