Julie Andrews Settles Lawsuit

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) â€” Julie Andrews settled a medical malpractice lawsuit with doctors who she said destroyed her singing voice with a botched operation. <br><br>The settlement was reached Thursday

Friday, September 8th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) â€” Julie Andrews settled a medical malpractice lawsuit with doctors who she said destroyed her singing voice with a botched operation.

The settlement was reached Thursday with Dr. Scott Kessler, Dr. Jeffrey Libin and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, said Andrews spokesman Gene Schwam.

``I am glad to have settled this case in a favorable manner and am glad to close this chapter on an event which was unfortunate for all concerned,'' Andrews said in a statement.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Andrews has been unable to sing professionally due to what the suit described as ``profound vocal difficulties, including severe hoarseness'' since she underwent surgery to remove non-cancerous throat nodules in June 1997.

The operation was recommended after Andrews experienced difficulties with her throat and voice while performing seven to eight shows a week of ``Victor/Victoria'' between October 1995 and June 1997, the lawsuit alleged.

The suit said Andrews was never told the operation carried the risk of complications that might leave her unable to sing. Instead, it alleged, doctors said the operation would eliminate her vocal problems.

Andrews won an Oscar for her role in ``Mary Poppins'' and starred in ``The Sound of Music.'' Her stage credits include the original Broadway versions of ``My Fair Lady'' and ``Camelot.''