Widow Files Lawsuit Over Fatal MRI Accident Involving Metal Chain
The grieving widow of a New York man who died after being violently sucked into an MRI machine by his heavy metal chain has initiated legal proceedings against the radiology office she holds responsible for his death. Adrienne Jones-McAllister, widow of Keith McAllister, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in the state Supreme Court in Nassau County against Nassau Open MRI, following the tragic and unusual incident that claimed her husband's life last year.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The couple visited the facility on July 16, 2025, for Adrienne, aged 61, to undergo knee imaging. After the procedure concluded, a technician reportedly left the room and called Keith, also 61, to assist his wife off the table connected to the still-active MRI machine. According to the lawsuit, as Keith approached, the powerful magnets and radio waves within the machine seized the 20lb chain hanging from his neck, which he utilized for weight training purposes.
Adrienne described the ensuing terror in an interview, stating the forceful imaging scanner held her husband captive for nearly an hour before the chain could be detached from the machine, as detailed on a GoFundMe page established by the family. Once freed, Keith was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, having endured multiple heart attacks during the horrific ordeal. He succumbed to his injuries on July 17.
Witnessing the Unthinkable
The legal filing emphasizes that Adrienne, who observed the entire incident, was "totally aware through all of her senses of the injuries and suffering and eventual death of her husband." She has previously attributed blame to the technician for failing to instruct Keith to remove his chain, a standard safety protocol all MRI specialists must follow to prevent such magnetic force injuries.
"That was not the first time that guy has seen that chain. They had a conversation about it before," Adrienne emotionally recounted to News 12 Long Island. "I saw him walk toward the table and then the machine just snatched him. He went limp in my arms - and this is still pulsating in my brain."
Legal Action and Defendants
The lawsuit, filed by Adrienne's legal representatives Andrew Finkelstein of Jacoby & Meyers and the Crump Law Office, names multiple entities:
- Nassau Open MRI P.C.
- East Coast Radiology P.C.
- Sun Enterprises
- GM Partners Westbury LLC
Reports indicate East Coast Radiology P.C. is contracted to use the MRI machine, Sun Enterprises leased the facility, and GM Partners Westbury LLC owned the property.
Understanding MRI Dangers
MRI machines generate exceptionally strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed internal body images. The magnetic pull is so intense it can propel a wheelchair across a room, according to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Additionally, these machines can rapidly heat metal objects, potentially causing severe burns.
Standard safety measures for MRI procedures include:
- Removing all jewelry and piercings
- Prohibiting individuals with certain medical implants, such as cochlear implants, stents, defibrillators, and pacemakers
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Nassau Open MRI responded with "No comment." The Daily Mail also reached out to Adrienne's lawyers for further statements.
