'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' Star Reveals Health Issues in Lawsuit
Former "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" star Jane Hubert, who played Aunt Viv for the first few seasons, has come out of the shadows to talk about her health issues. Her news comes just weeks after the death of beloved star James Avery, who played Uncle Phil on the series.
"There is a lot going on, health-wise," Hubert told Radar Online in an interview. "I have had a lot of issues over the years, but I'd like my benefits back. That's all. They've sort of denied me some very, very important medical things that I need to feel good."
Hubert has brought a lawsuit against the American Federation of Television and Radio Acts and the AFTRA Health Fund in order to have her issues covered by insurance. She contends that her coverage was cut off and has filed several appeals. Last year she filed to have her unpaid benefits, attorneys' fees and treatment retroactively returned to her.
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The treatments were initially covered by the H&R Fund, a benefit plan used by members of AFTRA. In 2004 Hubert began seeing a chiropractor for "military neck," which is a rare condition involving the loss of spinal curvature. The following year she developed vertigo so intense she "was unable to drive … and was told to sleep sitting up for six weeks, which did not help."
Hubert also "developed intense pain in her face" and "began developing a strange 'chatter' in her jaw." She "was unable to comb her hair, could not touch her face, had severe reactions to sound, would awaken with her mouth clenched, could not move her body in a manner she was used to and found light painful."
She saw a specialist and had surgery to try and cure the chattering and pain, but "problems persisted," Hubert told Radar. H&R continued to pay for her treatments but later stopped, stating that Hubert had gone over the limit and conditions for the year. Now Hubert is suing to have her future treatments paid for, as well as her past treatments that H&R refused to cover.
Hubert starred as Aunt Viv on the popular series until she was let go in 1993.
