The family of Chris Cornell, the iconic frontman of Soundgarden and Audioslave, has reached a confidential settlement in their lawsuit against a doctor they alleged over-prescribed him medication prior to his death. Court documents filed by attorneys representing Cornell’s widow, Vicky Cornell, and their children, Toni and Christopher Nicholas Cornell, indicate that an agreement has been made to resolve the legal battle.
The settlement, details of which remain undisclosed, concludes a lawsuit initiated in 2018 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The Cornell family asserted that Dr. Robert Koblin’s prescriptions, particularly the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam (commonly known as Ativan), contributed to erratic behavior in Chris Cornell leading up to his death in Detroit in May 2017. Cornell was 52 years old.
Medical examiners in Michigan officially ruled Cornell’s death as a suicide by hanging. Toxicology reports revealed the presence of lorazepam, along with barbiturates and naloxone, an anti-opioid medication, in his system. However, these substances were not determined to be the primary cause of death.
The lawsuit directly accused Dr. Koblin and his Beverly Hills practice of “negligently and repeatedly” prescribing “dangerous mind-altering controlled substances” to Chris Cornell. The legal filing argued that these medications impaired Cornell’s cognitive function, clouded his judgment, and ultimately led to impulsive and uncontrollable actions that tragically resulted in his death. Furthermore, the lawsuit emphasized that Dr. Koblin was aware of Cornell’s history of substance abuse when prescribing these medications.
Dr. Koblin and his legal team refuted all allegations of wrongdoing and denied any responsibility for Cornell’s death in their court responses.
Emails seeking comments from the attorneys representing both sides were not immediately answered on Thursday night, after the settlement became public through reports from City News Service, despite the documents being filed in April.
According to the Cornell family’s attorneys, the settlement was reached after “years of litigation and settlement negotiations.” A crucial aspect of the agreement is maintaining confidentiality and minimizing publicity, as stated in the April 2 court filing.
The court documents acknowledge the significant media attention and public interest the case has garnered, particularly from Chris Cornell’s fanbase. The filing also notes the unfortunate downside of celebrity litigation, revealing that the family has been subjected to harassment, including death threats directed at Cornell’s children, Toni and Christopher Nicholas Cornell.
While a settlement has been reached, the portion involving Cornell’s minor children still requires judicial approval. The court documents stipulate that the lawsuit will proceed to trial if this approval is not granted.
Chris Cornell was a defining voice of the 1990s grunge movement. His powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence with Soundgarden cemented his place as a pivotal figure in rock music. Soundgarden emerged as one of the genre’s leading bands, paving the way for other iconic groups like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.
