New Mexico jury awards Nichelle Nichols family $13 million for wrongful death
The jury found the hospital 40% at fault, and a judge will cut the award to $400,000 under New Mexico law.
- On Thursday, a Grant County jury awarded $13 million to the estate of Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols in a wrongful death lawsuit against Gila Regional Medical Center.
- Jurors found Gila Regional negligent in the July 30, 2022, death of Nichols, who died from heart failure hours after staff discharged her from an observation unit.
- The jury assigned 40 percent fault to the hospital and 60 percent to Dr. Tsering Sherpa, though the hospital's liability is capped at $400,000 under the New Mexico Tort Claim Act.
- Attorney Theresa Hacsi stated the verdict will "turn her death into a catalyst for making the local hospital a safer place," though the family receives only the statutory maximum award.
- Litigation continues in the First Judicial District Court against contractors HealthTech Management Services, Innova Emergency Medical Associates, ESS Hospitalist LLC, and Dr. Sherpa.
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Judgment against Gila Regional capped at $400K in actress’s death - Silvercity Daily Press
By JUNO OGLE Daily Press Staff A Grant County jury awarded $13 million Thursday to the estate of “Star Trek” actress Nichelle Nichols in a wrongful death lawsuit against Gila Regional Medical Center, but the hospital’s portion of that will be capped at $400,000 under state law. The trial, which lasted more than a week, ended with the verdict Thursday afternoon, after the jury had deliberated for about two hours. The jury found Gila Regional negl…
Estate of 'Star Trek' pioneer Nichelle Nichols awarded millions in wrongful death lawsuit, but family will only see a fraction of it
The estate of Star Trek actress Nichelle Nichols has been awarded $13M in a wrongful death lawsuit following her death in 2022.
BLK ALERTS - Estate of ‘Star Trek’ pioneer Nichelle Nichols awarded millions in wrongful death lawsuit, but family will only see a fraction of it
on October 1, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. According to Nichols’ attorney, under New Mexico state law, families and estates can recover no more than $400,000 if suing hospitals regulated by government agencies. A jury has awarded the estate of “Star Trek” actress Nichelle Nichols $13 million after filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Gila Regional Medical Center in Silver City, New Mexico. Nichols, who died from heart failure in 2022, was…
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Star Trek Star Nichelle Nichols' Family Wins $13 Million In Lawsuit
Nichelle Nichols, known to many Star Trek fans as Lt. Nyota Uhura, passed away at the age of 89 in 2022 in New Mexico. Nichelle Nichols’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a medical center, with the jury awarding them $13 million in the process. As reported by local news outlet KOAT, the family of Nichelle Nichols filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Gila Medical Center in Silver City, New Mexico, in 2025. The suit alleges that …
Hospital Ordered to Pay $13M Over 2022 Death of Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols
The Root reports: A New Mexico jury has found the Gila Regional Medical Center negligent in the death of Nichelle Nichols, who famously played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on the hit television series "Star Trek." According to KRQE News 13, Nichols' family filed a lawsuit against the hospital last ye...
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