emergency room neglect

[pjaystevens47]

What is the name of your state? Florida. My son was assaulted, and taken by ambulance to the emergency room. They did a cat scan and x-rays. When they found out he didn't have insurance, they released him and told him to apply ice. His injuries included a broken nose, a concussion, a broken rib, a deep cut above his eye. He couldn't see out of one of his eyes and complained of being dizzy. They didn't even clean any of the contusions. Does he have any recourse in this matter. He went to another hospital where he received proper treatment.

Originally posted by pjaystevens47
What is the name of your state? Florida. My son was assaulted, and taken by ambulance to the emergency room. They did a cat scan and x-rays. When they found out he didn't have insurance, they released him and told him to apply ice. His injuries included a broken nose, a concussion, a broken rib, a deep cut above his eye. He couldn't see out of one of his eyes and complained of being dizzy. They didn't even clean any of the contusions. Does he have any recourse in this matter. He went to another hospital where he received proper treatment.

Yes. Hospitals that have accepted money from the old Hill Burton Act are required to care for indigent emergency cases. Your son was dumped, and dumping is malpractice. See a malpractice lawyer. A lot of hungry malpractice lawyers are near you.

[ellencee]

pjaystevens47
If the hospital is a for-profit facility, ie. a private hospital, then the hospital was only required to provide the measures that they provided (stablize and insure that the patient was in condition sufficient to be discharged and or transferred to a facility that receives federal money for indigent care).

If the hospital is a for-profit hospital and does not receive funds for indigent care, the hospital was within their rights to have discharged your son.

Although treatment is available for each of the injuries that your son received, all of the injuries are capable of healing without further treatment by a medical professional.

Best wishes,
EC