Medical neglect - what do you think?!
Question: Medical neglect - what do you think.?
My brother was hit by a car a week ago and taken to an emergency room in Berkeley, CA.. He is a student at the university.. He had been drinking at a party and was walking home when he was struck by a car.. The emergency room stitched his chin and sent him on his way, he walked home.. I saw him the next day and while he looked scraped up we could find no real complications.. I was a bit upset as they had not even cleaned his wounds.. His right hand was bruised and bothering him somewhat, but we assumed the hospital had done a CT scan and checked for any broken bones or internal injuries.. They never gave him any discharge papers and he walked out, I believe, still in a state of shock.. The following day (Monday) he went to the university health services (where he has medical coverage) and they asked for his paperwork from the hospital.. The hospital had not done a CT scan or checked for broken bones.. He was finally given a scan and an x-ray and a fracture was discovered on his wrist..Health Question & Answer
Answers:
The hospital may or may not have commited negligince.. You say he was drunk.. He could have refused the CT scan.. He could have also been an uncoperative patient..
The hospital may have also done all that was required of them by law in California..
In Texas, if a hospital is not a county hospital that takes indigents, all they have to do is to stabilize the patient and then send them on their way.. Your brother was obviously bleeding, so they stitched him and that may have been all they had to do..
Unfortunately the only way to find out is to contact an attorney, and ask him..
Good luck finding one, because your brother didnt suffer any damages.. He was sent on his way, but didnt get hurt or anything else..Health Question & Answer
The hospital may have also done all that was required of them by law in California..
In Texas, if a hospital is not a county hospital that takes indigents, all they have to do is to stabilize the patient and then send them on their way.. Your brother was obviously bleeding, so they stitched him and that may have been all they had to do..
Unfortunately the only way to find out is to contact an attorney, and ask him..
Good luck finding one, because your brother didnt suffer any damages.. He was sent on his way, but didnt get hurt or anything else..Health Question & Answer
That would be considered neglect.. Speak to a lawyer.. My uncle was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle and wasn't given a CT scan.. He ended up bleeding to death internally while in his hospital room alone because they "thought he was ok since he was talking"..Health Question & Answer
I think your brother should get a lawyer..Health Question & Answer
thats neglectHealth Question & Answer
Your brother admits he was drinking.. Can he also remember every little detail of his visit to the emergency room.? Hell, few people can remember all the details when they're stone cold sober.. Sounds to me like he just got up and walked out..
CT scans are expensive and they utilize ionizing radiation, so unless there's specific signs pointing to the need for such a procedure, it's not going to be done..
Patients are not discharged from the ER without a thorough evaluation and without being given discharge instructions and signing their release forms.. I suspect your brother refused all the above - which is his right - and left against medical advice.. No, I'm afraid he's not going to be able to claim neglect and sue for a big fat chunk of money.. As a lawyer, I wouldn't take his case based on what you've said......Health Question & Answer
CT scans are expensive and they utilize ionizing radiation, so unless there's specific signs pointing to the need for such a procedure, it's not going to be done..
Patients are not discharged from the ER without a thorough evaluation and without being given discharge instructions and signing their release forms.. I suspect your brother refused all the above - which is his right - and left against medical advice.. No, I'm afraid he's not going to be able to claim neglect and sue for a big fat chunk of money.. As a lawyer, I wouldn't take his case based on what you've said......Health Question & Answer