I was visiting the doctor and they came across something that they thought might be life-threatening and wanted me to go to the hospital. Me, knowing myself and my physiology, I thought they were insane and that there was nothing wrong with me. But they disagreed, and disagreed so much so that they thought I was acting irrational and filed a Section 12 to have me committed to the hospital against my will.
While at the hospital they found nothing wrong with me. Nothing! I was diagnosed with no disease, nor put on any medication, nor given any sort of physical/mental therapy. All of my vital signs and biomarkers were perfect and I have asked for and received medical records from them that prove it.
I was released a few days later, with nothing to show for it: no diagnosis, no medication, no physical or mental therapy, but a week's worth of work gone. I contacted a lawyer the day I got out of the hospital, but was told I could not sue because Chapter 23 of the Massachusetts state health code grants immunity against civil lawsuits.
I have politely declined to pay them, but now, a year later, they are claiming I owe them almost $20,000 for my hospital stay and sent bill collectors after me, which is outrageous!
Two questions:
Am I legally obligated to pay them, since I had no legal authority not to go? My stance is if it was so important to them that they needed to file legal documents, that they should assume all financial liability. I shouldn't be obligated to pay for something that I was forced to buy against my will and got no value from.
Can I sue for malpractice, even though they committed me under a section 12? I feel like I was extorted for money, and want to hold someone accountable.
While at the hospital they found nothing wrong with me. Nothing! I was diagnosed with no disease, nor put on any medication, nor given any sort of physical/mental therapy. All of my vital signs and biomarkers were perfect and I have asked for and received medical records from them that prove it.
I was released a few days later, with nothing to show for it: no diagnosis, no medication, no physical or mental therapy, but a week's worth of work gone. I contacted a lawyer the day I got out of the hospital, but was told I could not sue because Chapter 23 of the Massachusetts state health code grants immunity against civil lawsuits.
I have politely declined to pay them, but now, a year later, they are claiming I owe them almost $20,000 for my hospital stay and sent bill collectors after me, which is outrageous!
Two questions:
Am I legally obligated to pay them, since I had no legal authority not to go? My stance is if it was so important to them that they needed to file legal documents, that they should assume all financial liability. I shouldn't be obligated to pay for something that I was forced to buy against my will and got no value from.
Can I sue for malpractice, even though they committed me under a section 12? I feel like I was extorted for money, and want to hold someone accountable.
Last edited: