MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Will Bob Saget's family sue Ritz-Carlton? Comedian's death probe details under wraps

Saget’s body was found inside Ritz-Carlton’s room on January 9 after he did a live stand-up in Orlando, Florida

Even though a judge has ordered a temporary decree barring the release of any details relating to Bob Saget’s death probe after agreeing to his family’s wishes on the matter, this might not be the last we hear about what caused the comedian's untimely death. Saget's relatives could file a lawsuit against the hotel where he was found dead. Saget’s body was found inside Ritz-Carlton’s room on January 9 after he did a live stand-up in Orlando, Florida.

Days after his shocking death, an autopsy report revealed that the 65-year-old had died because of several fractures to his head and around his eyes after hitting the back of his head. The medical investigation also mentioned that the actor “had posterior scalp abrasions, subgaleal hemorrhage (which is blood that forms between skull and scalp), discoloration in the upper and lower eyelids due to skull fracture, subdural hematoma (which is a buildup of blood on the surface of the brain) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (which is bleeding in the space that surrounds the brain).” While Saget had Covid-19 at the time of the tragedy, it had nothing to do with his death.

READ MORE

Bob Saget autopsy: Fans suspect foul play, want cops to reopen investigation

Did Bob Saget predict his death? The TRUTH behind morbid rumors

As the probe into the case is still on, the family of the ‘Full House’ star that includes his widow Kelly Rizzo and three daughters filed a lawsuit against law enforcement in Orlando, urging that all the evidence found during the investigation shouldn’t be made public. They claimed that the release of those materials would result in “irreparable harm in the form of extreme mental pain, anguish and emotional distress” for them. Orange County Circuit Court Judge Vincent Chiu agreed with the family and issued the temporary halt order barring the details of the death being made public.

Neama Rahmani, a former assistant US Attorney and the current president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, told the Sun that there could be “one of two reasons” behind Saget’s family’s suit. “They are either really private people and don’t want the public to have access to the potentially graphic details, pictures, and videos of his death, or there is some information in the records that is embarrassing,” he stated.

The lawyer also noted that “the question is what caused Saget to fall backward, hit his head, and die? That's not something that normally happens to healthy people,” given the fact that no traces of alcohol or drugs were found in Saget's body after he died. Rahmani then went on to speculate that the actor’s family might be considering suing the Ritz-Carlton. He said: “[But] if the family files a civil lawsuit claiming the hotel was negligent for Saget’s slip or trip and fall, the hotel will be able to subpoena Saget’s medical records during the litigation.”

He added: “And although Judge Chiu has granted a temporary restraining order to maintain the status quo, that doesn’t mean the records will remain private forever. The parties may fully brief the issue and the judge may decide to disclose the records because of the presumption that government records are public, or the government or media may appeal the ruling to a higher court.”

Meanwhile, a few doctors have raised their own objections with regard to Saget’s autopsy report dismissing the death as a "slip and fall". Neurosurgeon Dr Sanjay Gupta said, “I think what it reveals more than anything else is that this was not a simple bump on the head. When you read this autopsy report that may still be the case, but it was a pretty significant blow to the head.”

He added: “If I knew nothing else about what had happened, you’d think this was someone who had called down the stairs and had several impacts to the head or had been unrestrained in a car accident. Whatever happened here, we may never know how he felt or what happened, but it was a significant blow that caused that. And likely, the bleeding on top of the brain is likely causing pressure on the brain and subsequently, sadly, what led to him becoming unconscious and dying.”

Dr Megan Ranney, an emergency physician, also tweeted: “Hi. ICYMI: This is not a "slip & fall". This is not a minor concussion. This is MAJOR head trauma. My condolences to Saget's friends & family. I hope that they get answers as to what really happened.”