The family of late actor Bill Paxton - who died in 2017, days after undergoing heart surgery - can sue Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for punitive damages, a California judge ruled.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Steven J. Kleifield on Wednesday rejected a motion by the defense that sought to dismiss the case, claiming it did not meet the necessary burden of proof.
Paxton, known for his roles in Apollo 13, Titanic and Twister, died of a stroke 11 days after renowned Dr. Ali Khoynezhad performed heart surgery at Cedars.
The actor's wife and children are contending in the lawsuit that 'Khoynezhad performed an overly aggressive and invasive surgery, and that Cedars knew he was performing these types of surgery, surgeries he was not trained for.'
The plaintiffs also claim that the hospital tried to cover its tracks by lying about plans to perform an autopsy before Paxton was cremated.
Bill Paxton, pictured with wife Louise, died of a stroke in 2017 just days after a renowned Cedars-Sinai performed heart surgery
According to the lawsuit, Cedars and Khoynezhad 'made a promise' to Paxton's family on February 25, 2017 that they would conduct a post-mortem exam of the movie star.
However, it alleges the hospital 'made such a promise with no intention to perform an autopsy on William Paxton so they could conceal their role in causing the death of Mr. Paxton.'
The hospital also lied to Forest Lawn funeral home when it falsely told directors there that 'the Paxton family had changed its mind about having an autopsy,' the legal filing said.
His family has previously said that it was unaware of the dangers of the February 14, 2017 surgery, which they later learned was unnecessary.
Khoynezhad resigned from Cedars following his patient's death.
Paxton's family said it learned after his heart surgery that the procedure at Cedars-Sinai was unnecessary
Paxton is pictured with wife Louise and children James and Lydia during the premiere of HBO's Big Love on January 12, 2011
Paxton at the time of his surgery was diagnosed with two heart-related ailments – bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital condition, and aortic aneurysm.
This birth defect leaves the aortic valve - the main artery from the heart that distributes oxygen-rich blood to the body - operating with just two small leaflets that help regulate blood flow as opposed to three in a healthy heart, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Paxton at the time was diagnosed with two specific heart-related ailments – bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital condition, and aortic aneurysm.
This birth defect leaves the aortic valve - the main artery from the heart that distributes oxygen-rich blood to the body - operating with just two small leaflets that help regulate blood flow as opposed to three in a healthy heart, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The lawsuit says the doctor 'performed an overly aggressive and invasive surgery, and that Cedars knew he was performing these types of surgery, surgeries he was not trained for'
It also said the hospital lied about planning to perform an autopsy on the late actor
Paxton was best-known for his roles as astronaut Fred Haise in Apollo 13 (left) and storm chaser Bill Harding in Twister (right)
