Should I sue for malpractise or not?

Question

Last October I had stools that were bloody and diarrhea. I went to see a gastroenterologist who preformed a colonoscopy. He diagnosed me with ulcerative colitis gave me a prescription and a diet I was to follow, I had to follow-up with him in 1 month. My follow-up appointment was in December and I took my husband with me. I couldn't swallow and was choking on the medicine plus I told him I was now just bleeding like a menstrual cycle but in the anus. He yelled at me because I stopped taking the meds and sent me on my merry way. I had not been able to eat anything for almost a week but he didn't seem to care. A couple days later I had my first appointment with my rheumatologist, she took 1 look at me and said do you want to go to the hospital now or tomorrow morning, I chose the later. I was admitted to the hospital and given an IV and some meds. My gastro Dr came and gave me an endoscopy but yelled at me why I had not told him this was going on, the endoscopy came back I had severe stomatitis(thrush). I was put on  a feeding tube but I was still bleeding internally. My gastro Dr did not come back till 2 days later he walked into my room asked how I felt than left. Later a nurse told me he all he talked about was his wife was leaving him, he didn't order any tests or meds and only glanced at my chart. That was the last time I saw him and I was there for a week. I was given 4 pints of blood and plasma. My PCP and rheumatologist had to ask another t to take a look at me. We never did discover why I was bleedinginternallyy. I have not seen my gastro Dr since, I feel if I had not went to my rheumatologist appointment I would not be here today. So should I sue him or not? As I have a medical background I know from other patient experience that when you sue a Dr other Dr's are sometimes scared to take you on as a patient.

DaBrat · Accepted Answer

Make sure you have a copy of every medical record every time someone does something to you. By law if you ask for a copy they have to give you one. You can talk to a lawyer but in most cases it is you who has to do a lot of the ground work. So get your files together first and than I would find another doctor. Best of luck to you.

Badge203 · Answer

You shouldn't be taking any free advice from anybody here, as I know there will not be a lawyer just hanging around this board to answer your question.

Call a couple lawyers that deal in malpractice (You see them advertised all the time on TV), and call one. Most if not all offer free consultation. Make an appointment and bring in any sort of paperwork you have, times and dates and if the lawyer feels you have a case he will take it for a percentage of the judgment

However, don't let the "if we don't  win, you pay nothing" wording get to you. You will see in the very smallest of print, that you will still be responsible for normal lawyer fees, paperwork, court time etc. All that "we don't collect if you don't" crap means, they don't get a percentage of your winnings, but you still have to pay them for their services win or lose.

But don't come on here and ask for this sort of advice, there are 6th graders on here, and adults with even lower mentality's  who will give you all kinds of answers, none of it correct, but they will give it to you.

The doctors lawyers will drill you on if you were in so much distress, why did it take you almost a year to bring a law suit? They will get into your financial dealings and if they find anything that looks like now all of a sudden you need cash, you better be prepared to defend yourself.

And even if you do get the case to court, you are looking at years to get it to trial, then the appeal (whoever loses will appeal) that is a year or two down the road. So be ready for the long haul while your lawyer sucks every dime he thinks he can get out of you and will even drag it on for more fees.

Good luck

Jan · Answer

You stopped taking your medication without the Dr's authorization. Your own actions caused you the problems you were having. If you were bleeding that much before your follow up appointment,why did you not call and inform him or go to the emergency room? When the patient does not follow the treatment ordered,how is that the Dr's fault?

Jay · Answer

You really should not be posting such personal information on a board like this.  You are in a law enforcement section that is inhabited by children and police haters.   What you should do (and should have done) is to consult an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice.   Let him advise you on whether doctors will refuse to see you.

Anonymous · Answer

Your mom would have been greater advantageous to chat to the well-being care provider. merely because of the fact a doctor suspects some thing, it would not make it so. The well-being midsection has to stay with the medical doctors orders. If he prescribed the soreness meds, they might have the means to offer them on your mom. If he did not prescribe them they could not. back problems may well be not effortless, i've got had them for 25 years.

Shane · Answer

haha Doctors yell at you so often! 
You can try to talk to a lawyer for free and if they win theyll want a cut of the money, if they lose they might be free.  They will lose though.

Dr. Wigglefarmer · Answer

You want to sue when you didn't follow the doctors orders? If you were have such problems you should have gone back and told him. That's your fault.

Trending News

Should I sue for malpractise or not?

7 Answers