The relatives of a Long Island man who tragically lost his life after being forcibly pulled into an MRI machine by a 20-pound chain around his neck have retained a lawyer, potentially setting the stage for a lawsuit.
On July 16, 61-year-old Keith McAllister was drawn into the powerful magnetic field of an MRI at Nassau Open MRI, subsequently experiencing three heart attacks and succumbing to his injuries.
According to Michael Lauterborn, the attorney representing McAllister’s widow, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, the family is now pursuing “accountability” for the bizarre accident.
“This heartbreaking incident highlights the critical importance of safety protocols in medical imaging facilities,” Lauterborn, an attorney with Cheung & Laterborn, said in a statement. “The family and our legal team are dedicated to assisting the appropriate authorities in their investigation and in efforts to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
The attorney said the family is “devastated and seeking answers” and called for privacy as they await further information.
Jones-McAllister told local news network News 12 Long Island that her husband had been let into the exam room by a technician to help her get back on her feet at the end of an appointment.
McAllister wore the massive necklace as part of his weight training, his wife told the outlet. Jones-McAllister said she and a technician had struggled to try to free McAllister from the machine for almost an hour.
Nassau Open MRI has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
