Static Major, the producer who co-wrote Lil Wayne’s biggest hit to date “Lollipop,” died abruptly last year. Reports have surfaced claiming his death was caused by complications associated with treatment he received at a hospital in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
According to ThisIs50.com, Static (real name: Stephen Garrett) checked into the Baptist Hospital East on February 2008, complaining of flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath, and hours later passed on.
While the cause of death was unknown at the time of his passing, The Leo Weekly reports that an autopsy has revealed that his death was connected to treatment received at the hospital. Doctors reportedly recommended that Static undergo plasmapheresis, a treatment that removes toxins from the blood using a catheter. To receive the treatment, Static had to stay in the hospital overnight, to be monitored, prior to surgery the following morning.
After the procedure, he complained to a nurse about having pain in his internal organs. He was then instructed to remove the catheter, resulting in Static passing out. He never regained consciousness, and died hours later.
The producer’s family has since filed a medical negligence lawsuit against Baptist Hospital and Dr. Dean J. Wickel, the physician on staff who performed the surgery.
In a deposition last month, the nurse — who removed Static’s catheter — testified that it was removed because it had been inserted into the wrong place, which can lead to excessive bleeding or lung puncture.
Static’s autopsy report states that he died due from respiratory arrest after the removal of the catheter.
The family’s lawyer, Larry Franklin, has asked the judge presiding over the case to order Baptist East to reveal the identity of Static’s roommate during his days at the hospital. They believe the roommate would have heard the conversations between Static and the hospital staff, and could have witnessed his last moments.
However, the hospital’s legal team has refused to reveal the roommate’s identity, citing a privacy law that protects a patient’s identity called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Static’s family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with costs associated with pain and suffering. Static Major was just 33 years old when he died. Throughout his music career, he worked with the likes of Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Nas and Ginuwine. He is survived by a wife and four children.
