Can I sue for a hospital refusing to treat me
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Can I sue for a hospital refusing to treat me
A state run hospital refused to
treat me and i have proof that they
have to treat me
Asked on August 17, 2019 under Malpractice Law, Mississippi
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
If they refuse to treat you due to your race, religion, national origin, etc. then you may have a case and should consult with a civil rights lawyer. But they can refuse to treat you legally for a number of reasons, such as:
1) No guaranty of payment--e.g. you lack insurance; even state-run hospitals are not obligated to treat people, other than on an emergency basis (e.g. brought there with a heart attack or gunshot wound) without pay.
2) You have been disruptive at the hospital, have disparaged or attacked (including verbally) the hospital or its staff, etc.: for non-emergency cases, they can refuse to treat disruptive patients.
3) They do not believe that you need the treatment you believe you do, or feel the treatment would be ineffective or even counterproductive--they are allowed to use their medical judgment as to whether to administer treatment.
4) You have sued them prevously: that is a valid ground to not take you as a patient.
If they are refusing to treat you for one of the above or a similar reason, that is legal and you'd not have any case.
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