Melissa Rivers To File Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Over Mother Joan Rivers' Death, Hires Law Firm To Take On Case

Melissa Rivers is reportedly planning to take the clinic where her mother went into cardiac arrest to court.

According to E! News, a rep for Melissa confirmed that the 46-year-old is planning to file a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Yorkville Endoscopy, the facility where her mother Joan Rivers was having throat surgery when she stopped breathing.

The law office of Gair, Gair, Conason, Steigman, Mackauf, Bloom & Rubinowitz was reportedly hired by Melissa to take on a potential legal suit against the clinic. Partner Ben Rubinowitz said in a statement, "In order to fully determine all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Joan Rivers, we confirm that our firm has been engaged by Melissa Rivers and her family."

Joan Rivers, the legendary comedienne, passed away at the age of 81 on Sept. 4 earlier this year. Her cause of death was recently deemed a "therapeutic complication" by the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

A more precise cause of death was described by the Medical Examiner as "anoxic encephalopathy due to hypoxic arrest during laryngoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with propofol sedation for evaluation of voice changes and gastroesophageal reflux disease."

Joan went in for a routine vocal chord surgery at the Upper East Side clinic on Aug. 28 but was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital when she went into cardiac and respiratory arrest. The comedy legend was put on life support before eventually passing away.

Melissa addressed the public outpour of condolences and support for her late mother on WhoSay on Sept. 17.

"As my son Cooper and I mourn the loss of my mother, we want to thank everyone for the beautiful cards and flowers conveying heartfelt messages and condolences, which continue to arrive from around the world and through social media," wrote Melissa. "My mother would have been overwhelmed by the scope and depth of the love that people have expressed for her. It is certainly helping to lift our spirits during this time."

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