Michael Oher whose life story was highlighted in the 2009 movie, The Blind Side, is reportedly suing the Tuohy family. Recently, Oher’s petition suggested that the Touhys falsely led him to believe they were going to adopt him when in reality, they simply put him in a conservatorship. The 14-page-long document was submitted to the Probate Court for Shelby County, Tennessee.
What Is The Blind Side Movie About?
The movie depicts the powerful story of Michael Oher, a courageous African-American youth who had to confront the adversities of homelessness, destitution, and educational hardship. However, he refused to give up and in the end accomplished his ambition of being part of the National Football League, having been taken in by a white family.
The movie, which is based on Michael Lewis’ 2006 book, portrays the tremendous impact that the loving guidance of his adoptive parents had on his success. The book details Oher’s astounding story of how he overcame difficulties and accomplished greatness. It features Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Kathy Bates, Tim McGraw, and Lily Collins.
Why Did Michael Oher Sue The Tuohy Family?
Michael Oher, the central character of the acclaimed 2009 movie The Blind Side, is currently involved in a lawsuit against his adoptive family. Oher claims that he was tricked into signing away the rights to his life story for monetary gain by the Tuohy family, who were depicted favourably in the film.
Additionally, Oher has asserted that the film’s source material is inaccurate and that the Tuohy family never officially adopted him. This has stirred a legal dispute between Oher and the Tuohy family, each taking their own stance.
In the legal paperwork sent to the court, Michael Oher declared that the Tuohys had handed him a conservatorship petition in 2004, which gave them absolute power over his capacity to agree to contracts, even though at the time he was older than 18 and not disabled. Here’s an excerpt from Oher’s legal petition-
“Since at least August of 2004, Conservators have allowed Michael specifically, and the public, generally, to believe that Conservators adopted Michael and have used that untruth to gain financial advantages for themselves and the foundations which they own or which they exercise control.”
What Is The Lawsuit About?
Michael Oher has asked for the conservatorship to be terminated, full disclosure of the profits made from his name and story, the repayment of what he is owed with interest, and the Tuohys to be given penalties with both compensatory and punitive damages determined by the court. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that he has never liked the movie based on his life.
Oher has also claimed that the Tuohys made negotiations that ended with sizable payments for their family. He further claimed that their family the movie rights to The Blind Side banked an impressive $330 million.
The suit claims that the conservatorship is still in effect and the Tuohys have not filed their mandated yearly financial records. If Oher is proven right, this could result in severe consequences and make people question the actions of the Tuohys.
At the start of February 2023, Michael Oher learned that he was not officially part of the Tuohy family, despite believing he was due to the Conservatorship agreement he had agreed to.
