Legal Question in Health Care Law in Florida

forced hospital stay

During an illness with a 104.5 temp. my son ended up in a hospital ER. During the interview while my son was feeling so bad a Nurse practioner asked him has he had and thoughts of suicide. My son replied he felt so bad right now he could shoot himself. This started a process that could not be stopped. He was forced by law to undergo a least a two day stay in s psych. eval. unit. He was released with no diagnosis of mental illness but ran up a big bill that he cant pay his share of being out of work right now. The question is did they jump the gun with this suicide stuff since his statement was while he was ill. Can this ''judgement'' be challenged and some of this bill forgiven.


Asked on 4/21/09, 6:58 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
William Gwaltney William W. Gwaltney, Attorneys at Law

Re: forced hospital stay

You are basically asking if the hospital staff acted appropriately or within their discretion. Based on what you are saying it appears they may have been within their rights given your son's statements.

As for the bill, many times hospitals will negotiate their bills and your son may even qualify for a hardship "write-off". You can also ask if they will accept an amount equal to what an insurance company would pay, if your son had been insured.

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Answered on 4/21/09, 8:42 pm
Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Re: forced hospital stay

They will negotiate the bill. Find out what an insurance company would have paid. In a situation such as this they will usually accept that amount, which is a small farction of what was billed. Since he was involutarily admitted, they may write it off. Go and see someone face to face -- not over the phone or in writing. Go face to face.

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Answered on 4/21/09, 9:09 pm


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