Is my doctor responsible for paying for an autopsy that I knew nothing about?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Is my doctor responsible for paying for an autopsy that I knew nothing about?
When I had a miscarriage this year my doctor told me not to worry about the autopsy, that she would take care of it. Later on she told us there was no autopsy done. I got my records from her and found out there was in fact an autopsy performed. We have now received a bill for it. The doctor’s office is telling us they do not pay for an autopsy. My husband and I did not sign for one to be done. There is no record of my son being born/dying at the hospital.
Asked on July 18, 2011 under Bankruptcy Law, Texas
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
First of all, I am so sorry you are going through this. Second of all, it sounds like either the doctor's staff made a huge error or the doctor herself failed to give you the correct information. Contact the doctor's office in writing, and explain that you were informed by the doctor to not worry about the autopsy and then she informed you later on one was not performed. Further, explain you found out later one was performed and you do not expect to pay for it when you have been lied to and told from the get go that you would not be responsible for the cost. Copy the same letter to the medical board in Texas, and make sure the cc is on the letter you send to the doctor's office and to the insurance company. Explain that if this is not handled to your satisfaction, you have a colorable claim for medical malfeasance, negligent infliction of emotional distress and possible malpractice.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.