Jackson concerts insurance policy excluded payouts in case of ‘illicit taking of drugs’

September 30th, 2009 London insurance officials have hit back at TONI BRAXTON after she sued them over the cancellation of a string of shows. The Unbreak My Heart singer was forced to pull the final gigs in her two-year Las Vegas residency at the Flamingo Hotel in August, 2008, after she was hospitalised for an ongoing heart problem.

September 24th, 2009 Guitar strumming singer NEWTON FAULKNER has insured his wrist for $2.25 million (£1.5 million) after breaking his arm in a freak accident. The Dream Catch Me songwriter was terrified he would never be able to play the guitar again after snapping his bone in a fall in December (08).

September 15th, 2009 LONDON - A video showing Michael Jackson talking about his addiction to prescription drugs has surfaced. The recording apparently shows the King of Pop being quizzed by an attorney over a lawsuit involving his ex-manager Dieter Wiesner, who alleged fraud and breach of contract in a 45 million pound civil case.

September 3rd, 2009 GAEL GARCIA BERNAL has called for the legalisation of drugs in his native Mexico - to end the country's bloody civil unrest. The Motorcycle Diaries star is adamant the majority of street battles in the North American country are sparked by the trade in illicit narcotics.

August 8th, 2009 NEW YORK - The promoters of late King of Pop Michael Jackson's doomed comeback concerts may not be able to collect 17.5 million dollars covered by an accident insurance policy, with a report suggesting that it could be void if "illicit" drugs were involved in the singer's death. As per the policy AEG Live bought from Lloyd's of London, the promotion company could recover any loses it sustained due to any mishaps leading to cancellations of his 50-concert run, which was supposed to kick off on July 13 in London.

August 7th, 2009 The promoters behind MICHAEL JACKSON's doomed comeback concerts are facing losing out on a $17.5 million (£11.6 million) insurance payout because the policy did not cover death related to illegal drug use. Bosses at AEG took out the multi-million dollar policy with Lloyd's of London in the event that Jackson failed to complete the 50 concert dates he was booked for.

August 5th, 2009 LONDON - The insurers of late Michael Jackson's planned 50 O2 concerts, entangled in a multi-million pound row with the shows' promoters, thought that the medical examination declaring the singer fit for his comeback tour might have been conducted on "the body of a Nasa astronaut". London-based insurers Robertson Taylor claimed that the singer's medical examination results did not mention his widely-known medical troubles, including a singed scalp, plastic surgery or broken leg.

August 3rd, 2009 Filing: Michael Jackson's life insurance paid outLOS ANGELES — Court filings state the administrators of Michael Jackson's estate have received the King of Pop's life insurance proceeds. The records, filed Friday in Los Angeles, are redacted and don't indicate how much the policy paid out.

July 15th, 2009 LONDON - Michael Jackson's 13.3 million pound life insurance policy is hanging in mid-air as officials are reportedly investigating whether his death was "self-inflicted". The singer had named his three children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, as sole beneficiaries.

July 3rd, 2009 AEG boss says Jackson insurance covers overdoseLOS ANGELES — Concert promoter AEG Live's chief executive said Thursday that insurance will help cover any losses on the now-canceled Michael Jackson concert series if the pop star died accidentally — including of a drug overdose — but not if he died of natural causes. Randy Phillips said the company took out $17.5 million in insurance coverage through Lloyd's of London.

June 29th, 2009 Refund details for Jackson concerts still sketchyLONDON — It's a tragic loss — and an accounting nightmare for the promoters of Michael Jackson's doomed 50-night "This is It" concert extravaganza in London. More than 750,000 fans are waiting for details on ticket refunds, and the British government's consumer protection board told them Monday not to hold their breath — complex legal issues need to be worked out first.

June 27th, 2009 LONDON - Michael Jackson was reportedly in constant fear about his mounting debts and worried about his comeback concerts in London, telling friends: "If I don't tour they'll kill me." The King Of Pop's increased drug dependency was said to have begun taking its toll on the singer's mental and physical health days before he died on Thursday. Jackson, who was almost bankrupt at the time of his death, was claimed to have suffered further exhaustion stemming from rehearsals for his 50 show concerts, which were due to begin at O2 arena on July 13.

June 26th, 2009 LONDON - King of pop Michael Jackson's death has brought AEG Live, the entertainment company that persuaded him to sign up for 50 "farewell" concerts at the O2 arena, under a liability of 300 million pounds. According to reports, AEG Live had agreed to "self-insure" Jackson's shows after most insurance companies expressed doubt whether the frail singer would be able to complete the residency.

June 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - King of pop Michael Jackson had been taking a cocktail of seven prescription drugs that caused the cardiac arrest that took his life, if reports are to be believed. The legendary star passed away last night at the age of 50 after he suffered a heart attack at his home in Holmby Hills, California, and failed to recover even after repeated resuscitation attempts.

June 15th, 2009 MELBOURNE - A study conducted in Australia suggests that binge drinking and illicit drug use are far greater problems than drink spiking. Dr. Mark Little, a clinical toxicologist at the Royal Perth Hospital, says that suspected victims of drink spiking are more likely to be suffering from drugs and alcohol they have willingly consumed.