The family of Nichelle Nichols, the iconic actress who played Lt. Uhura on ‘Star Trek,’ has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Gila Medical Center in Silver City, New Mexico. The lawsuit, filed by Lisa Curtis, claims that the medical center’s negligence led to Nichols’ untimely death.

Allegations of Inadequate Care

According to the lawsuit, Nichols was treated at Gila Medical Center in 2022 for a new heart condition. Curtis alleges that the medical center employed unqualified medical providers who failed to properly diagnose and treat Nichols. She was later transferred to an assisted living facility, where she passed away just hours after her arrival.

Curtis criticized the medical center’s decision not to transfer Nichols to a more equipped facility in Las Cruces, which she described as a straightforward decision that was mishandled due to poor hospital policies.

Hospital’s Response

Attempts to reach Gila Medical Center and their attorney for comment were unsuccessful. However, court filings from the hospital claim that Nichols died of natural causes, disputing the family’s allegations of negligence.

Nichelle Nichols was a trailblazer in television history, being the first Black woman to play a lead role on TV. Her legacy extends beyond her role on ‘Star Trek,’ as she was encouraged by Martin Luther King Jr. to remain on the show due to its cultural significance.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.