Lawyers representing a trust created for Heath Ledger's two year old daughter, Matilda, have sued Ledger's insurance company, ReliaStar, for delaying a $10 million dollar payout to the trust, following the star's death in January due to an accidental prescription drug over doze.
© AFP/File Christophe SimonSeptember 29, 2008, (Sawf News) - Lawyers representing a trust created for Heath Ledger's two year old daughter, Matilda, have sued Ledger's insurance company, ReliaStar, for delaying a $10 million dollar payout to the trust, following the star's death in January due to an accidental prescription drug over doze.
The law suite alleges ReliaStar is acting in bad faith and wrongfully prying into the life of the actor following his death, reports TMZ.
In their rejoinder, ReliaStar says, "ReliaStar is entitled to investigate Plaintiff's claim to determine if the 'Suicide' provision is applicable."
ReliaStar also claims Ledger may have incorrectly answered two questions while applying for the insurance cover: whether he was taking prescription drugs and whether he ever used illegal drugs.
Though Ledger's death was ruled as accidental, by the New York City Medical Examiner, ReliaStar has launched an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, which Matilda's lawyers say is a blatant ploy to avoid paying the insurance money.
During the course of their investigation, ReliaStar lawyers intend to depose Mary-Kate Olsen, the masseuse who was at Ledger's home when he died, Ledger's colleagues on his last film, his agents, doctors, psychologists and others.
Matilda's lawyers allege, the process, which could take years, is designed merely to shame and intimidate them into submission
They also claim that under California law, insurance companies cannot re-examine insurance applications after the policyholder dies.
An official for ReliaStar told TMZ, "No decision has been made on the claim."
Matilda's trust lawyers, however, point out that the ReliaStar should have paid up by now.
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