Just a day after Four Tops singer Alexander Morris filed a lawsuit against a Michigan hospital for racial discrimination, new details about the unsettling encounter have emerged.
The 53-year-old revealed he is suing Ascension Macomb Oakland Hospital in Warren, Michigan, after staff branded him ‘delusional’ and offered a $25 gift card as an apology.
Incident at the Hospital
The incident took place in April 2023 when Morris, showing symptoms of a heart attack, visited the hospital.
During the intake process, he informed the staff that he was a member of the Four Tops, a renowned Motown group, and served as the lead singer, standing in for Levi Stubbs.
However, the staff did not believe him and nearly subjected him to a psychiatric evaluation.
Detailed Account of the Encounter
Morris recounted the ordeal on TMZ Live, revealing the sequence of events that led to the lawsuit. “Easter Weekend, my wife and I were spending time with our daughters when I fell ill and called EMS,” Morris began.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Morris stated his employment as a singer in the Four Tops, but the staff reacted with disbelief.
He was left in the hallway for nearly three hours, asking for oxygen and a blanket, before being seen by an emergency room doctor.
Mistreatment and Accusations
The doctor questioned Morris about his medical history and mentioned an evaluation, which Morris soon realized was a psychiatric assessment.
He was taken back to the triage room, where a security guard demanded he surrender his jewelry and cell phone. Morris refused to give up his phone, leading to further tension.
The guard insisted he would get his belongings back after the psych evaluation, leaving Morris confused and concerned.
The Realization and Apology
At this point, Morris’s wife entered the room, and he explained the situation to her, realizing the staff thought he was delusional because he claimed to be a member of the Four Tops.
Despite Morris offering to show proof, the guard refused to look at any evidence. Eventually, Morris was placed in a restraint gown, which he described as a straight jacket, adding to the distress.
Verification and Resolution
Morris then showed a nurse a video of him performing at the Grammy’s in a tribute to Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy.
The nurse immediately recognized him and rushed to get a doctor, who then canceled the psychiatric evaluation.
The doctor apologized profusely and promised to correct the mistake. Morris spent five days in the hospital, during which he struggled to file a grievance.
The Insulting Apology
When Morris finally managed to file a grievance, he was informed that patients are not given copies of such documents.
To his surprise, the nurse offered him a $25 gift card as a token of apology for the mishap, which Morris found deeply insulting.
“It doesn’t matter a person’s color, creed, nationality, ethnicity, orientation, or what have you. A human life is worth more than $25,” Morris concluded.
Conclusion
The incident highlights issues of racial discrimination and miscommunication within the healthcare system.
Morris’s experience underscores the need for sensitivity and proper verification processes when dealing with patients. The lawsuit aims to address these concerns and seek justice for the mistreatment he endured.
TDPel Media
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