Judge Rules: Aaron Carter Case Against Doctors Proceeds

A legal battle initiated by the family of the late singer Aaron Carter is set to go to trial in June 2026. The lawsuit names doctors and pharmacies, alleging they over-prescribed Xanax, which the family claims contributed to Carter's death in 2022. Carter, who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was found to have drowned in a bathtub after inhaling difluoroethane gas and consuming Xanax.

Despite defense arguments that the amount of Xanax was insufficient to cause unconsciousness, a judge has ruled that the family's expert testimony raises a valid dispute regarding medical negligence and wrongful death. This decision means the case will be decided by a jury unless a settlement is reached beforehand. Various motions by the involved parties were denied.

While the trial will proceed on negligence and wrongful death claims, certain damages for Carter's pre-death pain and suffering were excluded, as these can only be pursued by the estate's representative. The focus for the trial will be on the harm suffered by Carter's four-year-old son, Princeton, including loss of financial support and emotional distress.