SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) – The family of the actress known for her role as Lieutenant Uhura in the original "Star Trek" series is suing a southern New Mexico hospital. The family's attorney says in 2022, Nichelle Nichols went into the Gila Regional Medical Center located in Silver City with a treatable heart problem.

But hours after being discharged, she passed away at 89 years old. "Our evidence shows they were cutting corners and reducing staff at huge levels. And that meant that patients weren't getting the care that they needed," said Lisa Curtis, Trial Attorney.

The lawsuit explains that Nichols was staying at Millie's Assisted Living, near her son Kyle in Silver City, when she began suffering episodes of shortness of breath. While in the hospital's emergency department, Attorney Li

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