He died six months ago and I believe it was originally caused by his being not cared for in the first hospital that he was in . He was neglected for ten days in a locked ward where I was only able to see him for 1 hour/day. I was not allowed to talk with a doctor during the whole time he was there and on his last day there I demanded that he see a doctor because he was having a seizure when I came to visit. I was literally pushed out the door and told they would call the emergency room doctor to come to see him and that I should go home and they would call me. I finally got a call from them later that night telling me that he had been Life Flighted to another hospital 50 miles away. By the time I got to that hospital he had been admitted with seizures and was on life support. He stayed on life support for seven months before he died. The reason given for his death was Respiratory Failure and Renal Failure. I blame myself for leaving him in that first hospital in the first place!I am sorry to hear that your husband died. How long ago was his death? Why do you think his death might have been the result of medical malpractice?
I'm so sorry for your loss...He died six months ago and I believe it was originally caused by his being not cared for in the first hospital that he was in . He was neglected for ten days in a locked ward where I was only able to see him for 1 hour/day. I was not allowed to talk with a doctor during the whole time he was there and on his last day there I demanded that he see a doctor because he was having a seizure when I came to visit. I was literally pushed out the door and told they would call the emergency room doctor to come to see him and that I should go home and they would call me. I finally got a call from them later that night telling me that he had been Life Flighted to another hospital 50 miles away. By the time I got to that hospital he had been admitted with seizures and was on life support. He stayed on life support for seven months before he died. The reason given for his death was Respiratory Failure and Renal Failure. I blame myself for leaving him in that first hospital in the first place!
He died six months ago and I believe it was originally caused by his being not cared for in the first hospital that he was in . He was neglected for ten days in a locked ward where I was only able to see him for 1 hour/day. I was not allowed to talk with a doctor during the whole time he was there and on his last day there I demanded that he see a doctor because he was having a seizure when I came to visit. I was literally pushed out the door and told they would call the emergency room doctor to come to see him and that I should go home and they would call me. I finally got a call from them later that night telling me that he had been Life Flighted to another hospital 50 miles away. By the time I got to that hospital he had been admitted with seizures and was on life support. He stayed on life support for seven months before he died. The reason given for his death was Respiratory Failure and Renal Failure. I blame myself for leaving him in that first hospital in the first place!
Apparently it was, but I wasn't told that at the time I allowed him to be taken there. His primary doctor for the past 15 years had suggest it would be good for him to spend a couple of days in the hospital for some tests because he was becoming forgetful and having some strange delusions. He and I both trusted his doctor so he agreed to stay for a couple of days. Neither of us knew it was going to be a locked ward! We both thought that I would be able to stay with him while he was there!I'm so sorry for your loss...
Why was he in a locked ward? Was it a Psychiatric Ward?
I am not seeking a law suit. I only want to know if I have to pay the bill to this first hospital which came only after his death. Between his Medicare and his Medicare supplement I thought all his bills had been paid. Then comes this bill for $1300 with no explanation.What led to your husband’s original hospitalization?
You will need to have your husband’s medical records personally reviewed to better determine if a negligent or wrongful act by the hospital or medical staff was the proximate cause of his death.
You could see a medical malpractice attorney first (initial consultations are generally free) and/or you could have another doctor look over the records to see if the cause of death seems linked to the treatment received.
Good luck.
The first step is to find out what the bill is for, this before thinking of negotiating.I'm sorry mjlambert, i responded to your first post before i read the others.
The short answer is yes, Your husbands estate is responsible for paying all debts (including hospital bills).
However, as a practical matter, many health care providers will write off medical bills when the person dies if it appears they cannot recover the debt. At the very least you should be able to negotiate the bill down.