Lawsuit Claims Medical Negligence Contributed to death of Nichelle Nichols
Las Cruces, NM - A lawsuit filed this week alleges medical negligence contributed to the death of Nichelle Nichols, the groundbreaking actress best known for her role as Lt. Uhura on the original Star Trek series. Nichols died July 30, 2022, at the age of 89. The suit, filed by her son, Kyle Johnson, accuses Guadalupe County Hospital (GRMC) of failing to provide adequate medical care.
The lawsuit centers on an incident in July 2022,when Nichols was transported by ambulance to GRMC experiencing sudden heart problems.According to the complaint, the hospital did not perform necessary cardiac work and instead placed her in an observation unit. Johnson alleges his mother required transfer to a facility with cardiology specialists and appropriate diagnostic equipment, a transfer that did not occur in a timely manner.
“Nichelle was taken in by ambulance because she was having sudden heart problems. They didn’t do cardiac work on her, and that was needed. They put her in an observation unit,which is not where she needed to go. She needed to get transferred to Las Cruces, where they have cardiologists on staff and on call and the right equipment just to diagnose her and take care of her,” Johnson told KOAT.
The complaint further alleges a broader concern about healthcare quality in the region, with johnson stating, ”We have to have access to quality health care. We can’t allow these big corporations to come in and take money out of our state and give us crappy health care. it’s wrong.”
Nichols’ legacy extends far beyond her iconic role in science fiction. A dedicated civil rights activist, she was encouraged by Martin Luther King Jr. to remain on Star Trek to present a positive image of a Black woman in a position of authority. “She wanted to leave ‘Star Trek’ and go do a Broadway play,but Martin Luther King Jr. called her and said, ‘We need you,’ as she worked in the civil rights movement.’We need you to stay on television because you show us an intelligent black woman can do things in the world,'” Johnson recounted to KOAT.
Later in life, Nichols became a NASA ambassador, actively recruiting women and minorities to apply to the space program.
GRMC’s attorney, Ryan Clement, has not yet responded to requests for comment from KOAT.
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