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That Guy 03-18-2007, 10:46 PM I just spoke with my dad who use to be a hospital laboratory director about what he thought would happen if the hospital were sued for damages resulting from a situation like yours. He said basically that a pathologist can not ever guarantee with absolute certainty that cells are cancerous. It's always opinion based and that the doctor should have conveyed to you that the diagnosis was a "best guess" based on what the pathologist sees. Most of the time they are right but it's not uncommon for this to happen.
In a nutshell, he's not sure but feels that you may lose out on the case so definitely clear it with your legal council about what you will have to pay regardless of the outcome.
yeah, that depends on what you and he said to each other pre-surgery, the waivers you signed, how well your understood them, and their strength in court. only a lawyer that specializes in medical would be able to give you an idea of what your options are legally.
htownskinfan 03-19-2007, 09:21 AM I just spoke with my dad who use to be a hospital laboratory director about what he thought would happen if the hospital were sued for damages resulting from a situation like yours. He said basically that a pathologist can not ever guarantee with absolute certainty that cells are cancerous. It's always opinion based and that the doctor should have conveyed to you that the diagnosis was a "best guess" based on what the pathologist sees. Most of the time they are right but it's not uncommon for this to happen.
In a nutshell, he's not sure but feels that you may lose out on the case so definitely clear it with your legal council about what you will have to pay regardless of the outcome.
well if thats the way it is then thats the way it is,I guess I always thought it was like a pregnancy test,its either a yes or no answer,the doctor never said its absolutely positive cancer,he told me the pathologist was convinced it was cancer,and if the pathologist was that convinced it had to be,looking back on it now,when he was explaining it to me,when he told me the pathologist was pretty sure it was cancer,I thought that was odd,"whatdaya mean pretty sure?" I just didnt ask enough questions i guess,if its just a guessing game,even knowing what i know now,I guess I would still have the surgery over again,what else you gonna do? if theyre that convinced you gotta do it
I just didnt ask enough questions i guess,if its just a guessing game,even knowing what i know now,I guess I would still have the surgery over again,what else you gonna do?
What choice did you have? You had to have it.
I have a couple of friends who have sued medically. It's a long road.
1) Get a good medical atty, not an ambulance chaser, that tries to pump you up with a bunch of BS, that is NEVER realized.
2) As somone else stated, it would be nice to get "life-time" medical coverage for things possibly arising downline out of this incident.
3) Be prepared for MANY delays, and years of stalling, double-talk, and nonsense
firstdown 03-19-2007, 10:15 AM well if thats the way it is then thats the way it is,I guess I always thought it was like a pregnancy test,its either a yes or no answer,the doctor never said its absolutely positive cancer,he told me the pathologist was convinced it was cancer,and if the pathologist was that convinced it had to be,looking back on it now,when he was explaining it to me,when he told me the pathologist was pretty sure it was cancer,I thought that was odd,"whatdaya mean pretty sure?" I just didnt ask enough questions i guess,if its just a guessing game,even knowing what i know now,I guess I would still have the surgery over again,what else you gonna do? if theyre that convinced you gotta do it
If he doctor said they thought it was cancer but could not be 100% sure would you have gone along with the surgery?
htownskinfan 03-19-2007, 10:23 AM If he doctor said they thought it was cancer but could not be 100% sure would you have gone along with the surgery?
well yes,I thought that was what i just stated,if theyre that convinced,what else are you gonna do?
firstdown 03-19-2007, 11:58 AM well yes,I thought that was what i just stated,if theyre that convinced,what else are you gonna do?The reason I asked was if you would have had the surgery either way than I'm not sure what kind of case you would have against them. It sounds as if the comunication between and your doctor was not the best and i guess this may be an issue. The good news is now you know they are removed and non-canserous (spelling) which must be a big relief to you. The bill part sucks. Good luck on what ever you decide to do.
Monkeydad 03-19-2007, 02:17 PM I don't believe this is a case of malpractice, but you should NOT be paying for it. If legal action is necessary, seek only payment for the procedure and any medication you'll need to take from missing your thyroid. Don't get greedy and go overboard seeking damages. That does a disservice to EVERYONE else who has to pay for medical insurance or for services without insurance. They have to make up the cost to pay for lawsuits somewhere and that place is everyone else's pocket.
Out-of-control legal action is the entire reason that insurance and medical procedures cost so much these days and could be why your insurance wouldn't cover it. The doctors are scared to do anything without loading up on malpractice insurance in fear of being sued for millions for a minor mistake.
I do feel bad for what you're going through and thank God no cancer is there. I hope it turns out well for you on the financial side as well, but please don't go too far. Money can never truly solve problems when it comes to your health.
htownskinfan 03-21-2007, 06:58 PM well after being more informed i have decided not to try and pursue anything legally,in the cancer world biopsys are wrong sometimes,I'm just grateful once they cut me open I didnt have it,even though i wasnt that worried about it because I was told it had a high cure rate,shit still happens and it could have ended up turning out really bad if I did have it.I saw this on espn's front page 2 nites ago,about George Karls son having thyroid cancer
ESPN.com - NBA - Nuggets' Karl gears for son Coby's cancer surgery (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2806277)
saden1 03-21-2007, 07:19 PM What do your Muslim friends think?
No seriously though, you have to be thankful but that doesn't mean you should part with your money that easily. I'm pretty sure the hospital has it's ass covered and you probably signed a document selling them your soul. If I were you I would have a frank discussion with the doctor about the issue of cost and how to get out of paying the whole bill.
Don't mention lawyers or anything of that nature because people tend to get defensive. Rather, act poor and unable to pay. The doctor will almost likely tell you what your options are. If the doctors answers aren't satisfactory, I would read the documents I signed before consulting a lawyers. Make an appointment with the hospital administrator or someone with power and explain the situation. In all likely hood your concerns will be addressed by them but if they aren't and you are stuck with 70K bill, it's time to bring out the big guns and consult a lawyer.
Monkeydad 03-22-2007, 12:32 PM Well, I just had a biopsy done myself, so I'm in a little pain right now. The doctor is "sure" it's not cancerous but wanted to remove the whatever kind of limp/mass/cyst it was to be sure.
Hopefully this will go well. I'll find out in about a week and a half.
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