March 17, 2013 13:47

Family of Michael Jackson want £26 billion compensation from concert promoter

Star's mother and three children demand fee to cover loss of future earnings

Photo Gallery: Michael Jackson
Photo: PA

The family of Michael Jackson are seeking £26 billion in compensation from concert promoters after his death in 2009.

TMZ report Katherine Jackson, mother of the 'King Of Pop', and his three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, want £6.6 billion to make up for his lost future earnings after the series of concerts he'd scheduled before his death were cancelled. They're also seeking a further £19.8 billion in other damages.

The court case with AEG, organisers behind the comeback concerts at London's O2 arena, begins next month. Jackson died aged 50 at his house in Los Angeles just weeks before the concerts were due to start. It's since been ruled Jackson was given a fatal dose of anaesthetic Propofol by his personal doctor, Conrad Murray. Murray was jailed for four years last year for Jackson’s involuntary manslaughter.

The use of Propofol is restricted to hospital operating theatres, but Murray agreed to inject the star so he could sleep. At the time, he was said to be exhausted while rehearsing for the 50 concerts that were booked in London. Those who bought tickets were refunded by the promoter in 2009.

AEG are expected to argue the sum being sought is unrealistic as Jackson's career was in decline at the time of the shows. The civil case begins in LA on April 2. Since Jackson's death, the estate has earned more than £675 million, although much of that was used to clear his large debts.

Video: Michael Jackson RIP: 1958-2009

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