Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in North Carolina

Doctor's obligation to see patient

I have been seeing the same Dr. for several years until ten days ago when I scheduled an appt. for 8 a.m. Whlie after waiting for the Dr. to call me for over 50 minutes I asked the receptionist why the delay because I had specifically request the early appt. due to work scheduling. She informed me that the Dr.was with another patient and that I would have to wait my turn. I returned to my seat and after about ten minutes I saw the Dr. drive into the parking lot and immediately confront the receptionist and asked her why she told me a bold faced lie when the Dr. had not even arrived at his office? This caused a great reaction by everyone in the office I assume because I have yet had any of my calls returned and this Dr. knows that I have blocked arteries in the left leg that according to the specialist needed immediate medical attention which would include by-pass surgery My question to you is can this doctor refuse me treatment just because I had a run in with his recepinoist knowing full well the consequences of his actions?


Asked on 11/27/97, 1:03 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
C. Wes Pittman Pittman and Perry, P.A.

Refusal to Treat

Sometimes doctors, being human like everyone else, will hesitate to call a person who is habitually difficlt to get along with, but it does not sound as though you were unreasonable in any way. Even so, if the doctor of a patient is refused necessary treatment when the doctor knows examination and treatment are necessary for the patient's wellbeing, the doctor is guilty of patient abandonment. If harm is actually caused by the abandonment, the doctor can be sued for the injuries caused by the delayed treatment or entire absence of follow-up treatment.

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Answered on 11/27/97, 11:08 am


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