A cardiologist convicted in the 2009 death of celebrity entertainer Michael Jackson, now faces more legal battles. Civil lawsuits for medical malpractice and wrongful death have been filed by the dead man's family and professional discipline will likely be meted out by medical licensing agencies. The doctor's medical practice was based in the Southwest; he did not practice in Pennsylvania.

A jury convicted the doctor of involuntary manslaughter after his patient died in the patient's home of a drug overdose while the doctor was caring for him. As of the time of publication, the doctor has not been sentenced. At sentencing, the prosecution could ask the judge to order restitution payments to the man's family. The patient's father has already filed a civil lawsuit against the doctor for wrongful death.

The entertainer had never paid the doctor for his services, and the extent of his wealth–or insolvency–is unclear. He may have received a significant amount of money for participating in a documentary. As a convicted felon, he could not keep proceeds from the documentary because of a law that prevents felons from profiting from their crimes.

He also faces suspension of his medical license in the three states that licensed him to practice medicine. He is trying to negotiate a suspension that would permit him to start practicing again after one year.

Lawyers for the family are taking a closer look at other doctors who treated the entertainer in the weeks leading up to his death. Medical malpractice attorneys suggest that a jury should decide which of these doctors should also be held accountable for their roles in the entertainer's death.

Source: CBS News, "After conviction, legal woes mount for Jackson doc," Nov. 11, 2011