Hospital billing involving fall of Mother in law

[immatater]

What is the name of your state? Utah

I had my MIL over for dinner last night. On her way out the door, she fell down my stairs(not my fault in any way)and banged her head. I offered to drive her home, or to the hospital, or to stay here, gave her an ice pack and took care of her. After a while she insisted she was fine and would drive herself home. She went to the emergency room instead, told them how she fell at my house, and now the hospital insists that we pay her bills!!! She had a CAT scan and lots of other tests...nothing was wrong with her . So, now we are stuck with the bill because she listed us as the guaranteer. She does not live with us and I found out later (from my father in law) that she's on various painkillers and has been falling a lot lately. Are we legally responsible for her bills? The hospital says yes.

[Litigation!]

Originally Posted by immatater

What is the name of your state? Utah

I had my MIL over for dinner last night. On her way out the door, she fell down my stairs(not my fault in any way)and banged her head. I offered to drive her home, or to the hospital, or to stay here, gave her an ice pack and took care of her. After a while she insisted she was fine and would drive herself home. She went to the emergency room instead, told them how she fell at my house, and now the hospital insists that we pay her bills!!! She had a CAT scan and lots of other tests...nothing was wrong with her . So, now we are stuck with the bill because she listed us as the guaranteer. She does not live with us and I found out later (from my father in law) that she's on various painkillers and has been falling a lot lately. Are we legally responsible for her bills? The hospital says yes.

My response:

Tell me about the stairs. How many treads and risers? Handrails? Material? Weather? Her shoes? Amount of times she's used those stairs? Insurance - - Yours? Hers? Did you see her use the stair on that date? What disabilities does she have?

IAAL

[JETX]

Originally Posted by immatater

now the hospital insists that we pay her bills!!!

HUH??? The hospital has absolutely NO say in your paying the bills... unless you SIGNED to guarantee payment. Tell them to pound sand.

So, now we are stuck with the bill because she listed us as the guaranteer.

She cannot obligate you to pay her bills.... only YOU can do that.