Melissa Rivers files malpractice lawsuit against NYC clinic in mother Joan Rivers’ death

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Melissa Rivers has filed a malpractice lawsuit against the Manhattan clinic where her mother, Joan Rivers, had an endoscopy and later died.

Rivers also is suing the doctors who treated her mother before her death. She said in a statement that she sued so no other family has to go through what she did. The suit seeks unspecified damages.

Yorkville Endoscopy said in a statement it was not appropriate to comment on the lawsuit. It extended condolences to the family.

Joan Rivers died Sept. 4 at age 81. The city’s medical examiner found she died of brain damage due to lack of oxygen after she stopped breathing during the procedure.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services cited the clinic for failing to identify deteriorating vital signs and provide timely intervention. It could lose its Medicare accreditation.