IfI fell in a public restroom andrefused treatment but medical assistance was called over my objections, am Iliable for the bill?
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IfI fell in a public restroom andrefused treatment but medical assistance was called over my objections, am Iliable for the bill?
I got injured in the bathroom of a public courthouse. A person who was at the scene had asked me if I needed medical assistance and I explicitly told this person that I did not. Despite my wishes, the person called 911 anyway and I was transported to the hospital and treated in the ER. I now have over $3000 in bills and counting (I have no insurance) that I’m on the hook for. Since I refused treatment to begin with, would I still be legally liable for these bills or would this burden fall on the person who called against my will? Would I have any recourse in this situation?
Asked on January 13, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Florida
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Unfirtunately for you, if you fell in a public restroom, medical assistance was called for you and you refused treatment but ended up receiving medical treatment, you are responsible for the bills for this treatment under the laws of all states in this country. The person calling for assistance would not be liable for your bills and you would have no recourse legally against him or her.
The rationale is that given the injuries that you susptained, you might not have been in a condition of knowingly waiving medical treatment. Public policy in this country is to render medical assistance to those in need.
If you cannot afford to pay your medical bills of over $3,000, I would contact the accounts receivables department at the hospital where you were treated to see if somehow its bill to you would be able to be reduced where you can make installment payments on it.
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