A New York radiology center is facing a negligence lawsuit after a 61-year-old man died following a rare but catastrophic incident involving a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, according to court filings.
Adrienne Jones-McAllister has filed suit against Nassau Open MRI, alleging that the facility failed to follow basic safety protocols that could have prevented the death of her husband, Keith McAllister, 61. The incident occurred on July 16, 2025, during a routine visit to the imaging center.
According to the complaint, McAllister entered the MRI room while wearing a “large metallic chain” around his neck. MRI machines generate powerful magnetic fields capable of pulling metal objects with extreme force—a well-documented hazard in radiology settings.
After Jones-McAllister completed a knee scan, a technician allegedly asked her husband to assist her off the imaging table. At that point, the metal chain reportedly caused McAllister to be violently pulled into the machine.
The lawsuit claims staff failed to warn him about removing metallic objects or prevent him from entering the room under unsafe conditions.
Court documents and statements cited in media reports describe a prolonged and chaotic rescue attempt. Jones-McAllister and a technician reportedly struggled for several minutes to free him before emergency responders were called.
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According to a family fundraiser and local reporting, McAllister remained pinned to the machine for nearly an hour before authorities were able to detach the chain. He died the following day, July 17, after suffering multiple heart attacks.
“He went limp in my arms,” Jones-McAllister told local outlet News 12 Long Island in a prior interview.
The lawsuit accuses Nassau Open MRI of “negligent, wanton, reckless and careless” conduct, alleging the facility allowed “dangerous, hazardous and/or unsafe conditions” to exist.
Jones-McAllister is also seeking damages for severe psychological and emotional trauma. The complaint states she has suffered ongoing mental anguish, physical symptoms, and financial strain related to medical care following the incident.
She is requesting an unspecified amount in damages, to be determined by a jury.
MRI safety protocols universally require strict screening for metal objects before anyone enters the scan room. Experts note that even small metallic items can become dangerous projectiles in the presence of strong magnetic fields.
The case could renew scrutiny over enforcement of these protocols in outpatient imaging centers, particularly regarding non-patients who enter MRI suites.
Attorneys for both Jones-McAllister and Nassau Open MRI have not publicly commented on the lawsuit.
