Michael Jackson is being sued by the family of a elderly woman that died two years ago.

Manuela Gomez Ruiz was 73 when she died in 2005; her family claim that she was moved from her hospital room to make way for Jackson, who was apparently suffering from only flu-like symptoms. He was in and out of court at the time on child abuse charges.

Ruiz was on a life-support machine at the time after suffering a heart attack. After being moved she suffered a second heart attack and died. The hospital in question is, perhaps obviously, rather frustrated at the lawsuit. A spokesman said it was a "frivolous claim to generate publicity".

No statement has been issued from the Jackson camp. The lawyer responsible for filing the lawsuit, Raymone K Bain, commented:

"Manuela Ruiz was dying. Michael Jackson was also dying... dying not to go to court that day."