Joan Rivers Lawsuit: Daughter Melissa Plans to Go After Clinic?

Joan Rivers' daughter Melissa is planning a lawsuit against the New York City clinic where her 81-year-old mother was undergoing a routine endoscopy when she went into cardiac arrest, resulting in her death a week later on Sept. 4, a source told London's Daily Mail.

Described as a "close family friend," the source told the Daily Mail that Melissa Rivers' emotions over her mother's death are still raw, but the daughter and business partner of the late famed comedian is determined to bring the clinic to court.

The Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic has remained under investigation by the New York's Department of Health since River's death, reported the Daily Mail, and Dr. Gwen Korovin, a throat specialist who was present during Rivers' procedure at the clinic, is still seeing patients at her private practice.

"Melissa does plan to sue the clinic," the source told the Daily Mail. "It's very difficult to discuss something so unpleasant with her, but she is going to launch a lawsuit."

Cate Meighan of the Music Times wrote that Rivers' daughter also will want to ensure that those involved in the surgery will to have to answer for their actions.

"Melissa Rivers realizes that at this point nothing she does will bring her mother back, but someone has to be held accountable," Meighan wrote. "While Joan Rivers was 81, it has been made obvious that she did not have to die under these circumstances."

CNN reported last month that Korovin performed an unauthorized biopsy on Rivers during the treatment to help diagnose the reason for her hoarse voice and sore throat, and also took a selfie in the procedure room while the entertainer was under anesthesia.

A source told TMZ that Korovin is pushing back on charges that she performed the biopsy and took the photo.

"We're also told the doctor has made it clear ... she did not perform a biopsy on Joan," reported TMZ last month. "We pressed to find out if she performed some other procedure ... we did not get an answer. Several patients of Dr. Korovin have contacted us to tell us about her 'unblemished record' and how she is the go-to ENT in NYC. It's true ... she has a corner on the market and her patients love her."

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• Rick Perry: Joan Rivers Might Be Alive If Clinic Standards Were Higher