US2 min(s) read
Published 11:34 16 Apr 2026 GMT
The widow of a man from Long Island who died after being pulled into an MRI machine has filed a lawsuit, accusing the facility of failing to take basic safety precautions.
Adrienne Jones-McAllister, 61, has taken legal action against Nassau Open MRI following the death of her husband, Keith McAllister, in what has been described as a shocking accident.
The lawsuit was filed in Nassau County Supreme Court and claims the radiology office attached to the center was negligent for failing to ensure that he removed a heavy chain from his neck before entering the scan room.
According to the complaint, Jones-McAllister has sustained “severe and serious personal, psychological and emotional injuries” since the incident that occurred in July 2025, with “permanent effects of pain, disability, disfigurement and loss of body function.”
It also states that she “witnessed and was totally aware through all of her senses of the injuries and suffering and eventual death of her husband.”
McAllister died on July 16 after being pulled into the MRI machine while wearing a 20-pound metal necklace. The powerful magnetic force of the equipment drew him in with extreme, unrelenting speed, leading to fatal injuries. This was despite the company, who offer a same-day MRI scanning service, claiming that "every patient receives the highest quality service".
His widow has previously criticized staff for not warning him, saying: “That was not the first time that guy has seen that chain,” and adding: “They had a conversation about it before.”
The lawsuit also names several other parties connected to the MRI center, including East Coast Radiology, which used the MRI equipment, as well as the companies responsible for leasing and owning the building. The amount being sought in damages has not yet been made public.
MRI machines generate extremely strong magnetic fields, capable of pulling metal objects with dangerous force. Because of this, strict safety protocols require patients to remove all metal items before entering the scanning area, as even small oversights can result in serious injury or death.
