To Sue or Not to Sue

[andy21]

To Sue or Not to Sue, that is the question.

My dad had a nasty nurse, who when he was very weak and 2 months from passing away, was extremely rude to him.
She would rip his bandages in a most un callous way and say and do other things which still hurt me.
As an example, one time my dad needed something and asked one nurse, this nurse just replied in front of my dad that he has to learn to be patient, in a most rude way. My dad was just shocked and kept quiet.
When a patient who has been very strong all his live is suddenly at the mercy of unknown people, it is imperative for those people to show him love and respect.

On the other hand, there were at least two other nurses who took lovely care in that time of extreme need.

Should I sue that Nurse and doctor for being negligent in their care? Shouldn't the cancer center Nurses be trained to treat patients with extra care?
Any one else had similar experiences?

[Val*pal]

I'm not a litigious person, so my two cents worth of advice is not to sue.

However, I do think it's important that you make peace with this. Have you thought of tracking down these nurses, getting their names, and having a meeting with them and the head of the hospital? You definitely should let them know that this occurred and should never happen again. At the very least, they should be disciplined.

I never witnessed my husband being mistreated at any point during his hospitalizations for colon cancer. However, I did over hear (via phone) a nurse aide being extremely disrespectful to my mom when she was hospitalized and helpless. I should have pursued that, but I didn't. Shame on me.

[Nik Colon]

Not sure what to say, butt definitely report them! So sorry for your experience, that is just wrong!

[midlifemom]

I would suggest filing some sort of complaint against the nurse.
Good luck coming to peace with this.

[localyokal]

When I was recovering from my colon resection I had a CNA who copped an attitude with me daily. One day she was giving me a sponge bath, she got mad cause she was working late due to my visitors and she threw the towel down onto my incision really hard. It hurt real bad but I kept my mouth shut but in hindsight I should have sued the hospital for everything they had.

[andy21]

When I was recovering from my colon resection I had a CNA who copped an attitude with me daily. One day she was giving me a sponge bath, she got mad cause she was working late due to my visitors and she threw the towel down onto my incision really hard. It hurt real bad but I kept my mouth shut but in hindsight I should have sued the hospital for everything they had.

localyokal , that was really over the top.
I wonder if it's because of bullying among Nurses:
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/1 ... ully/?_r=0

Nurses eat their young. The expression is standard lore among nurses, and it means bullying, harassment, whatever you want to call it. It’s that harsh, sometimes abusive treatment of new nurses that is entrenched on some hospital floors and schools of nursing. It’s the dirty little secret of nursing, and it needs to be publicly acknowledged, and just as publicly discussed, because it’s keeping us down.

[justin case]

I was in ICU, and complaining of pain. My wonderful nurse from Ethiopia, described how her husband, had to carry her 20 miles to the nearest facility on foot. Why are you complaining? She then changed my IV in my hand, went through the vein, and waited to just before shift change to turn on the flow It took 1 1/2 hours for the morning nurse to see my hand puffed up like a balloon. I was told by my surgeon He had reported it, and the nurse would probably be asked to leave. Then he said, "Unfortunately, there is a nursing shortage, and she will have no problem getting another job at a new hospital, as early as tomorrow"
Michael

[Nik Colon]

I had one NA who was a little rude when I was in the hospital recovering from my recent surgery. I told my main head nurse right away the next morning when she came in. She was talked to and told she was not allowed to go in my room after that. Everyone else was great tho

[John72]

The problem is I don't think you have recoverable damages. So suing would be rather pointless.

Other than that, I think others have provided some good advice.

[cathy123]

I don't think you should sue, but I would definitely report her to the hospital. That is just not ok.

[Sandy1962]

I don't think you have a case for a few bad comments, if everyone sued over words the court system would be worse than it is now. I definitely think you should report someone that maybe shouldn't be in direct patient care, butt it would be your word against theirs.

[justin case]

One last comment. Everyone blames insurance and hospitals for the exorbitant charges we receive. The number of false claims of malpractice suits, have made being a doctor, a very wary adventure. A doctor I know, who had a very lucrative clinic, in KC, retired at 50, as the malpractice insurance was at $1,000,000 a year. This was in 1974! When I find a healthcare provider, I'm unhappy with, I change. It has become harder to sue a doctor, and it's getting even harder, to find a doctor who thinks outside of the box, because of lawsuits.
Bro Nut

[Rasputin]

I was the last surgery done on a Thursday night, and it started two hours late. All the docs left after it was over (my surgeon, his assistant, a new resident, and a Urologist). I woke up with an ostomy, no idea if it was permanent or not, no idea if they got all the cancer. Laid there for 14 hours with no idea what they did to me.

Doctors got an earful, and the survey from the hospital reflected the doctors' neglect.

[justin case]

I was the last surgery done on a Thursday night, and it started two hours late. All the docs left after it was over (my surgeon, his assistant, a new resident, and a Urologist). I woke up with an ostomy, no idea if it was permanent or not, no idea if they got all the cancer. Laid there for 14 hours with no idea what they did to me.

Doctors got an earful, and the survey from the hospital reflected the doctors' neglect.

I really find it hard to believe, you were not told an ostomy may be needed. Oh yes, my oncologist didn't think so! Butt, my surgeon thought it needed. I saw the surgeon, on Saturday, and he came back on Sunday, to see how I was. I will bet
The first thing you did, as I did, was to feel for the bag after surgery
You knew it would be there, just as I.
The surgeon probably saved your life, what you make of it now,
is your decision.
Bro Nut

[peanut_8]

Andy, I'm really sad to hear of your Dad's mis-treatment. Although I can't actually recall this myself, when I was in the ICU, I had a nurse that was mean to my family, and told them I was not going to make it. We ended up reporting her to the administration, and hopefully they can re-train her to be more compassionate. Otherwise, she should be reassigned. I think your best course would be to speak with administrators of your concerns. Patents should not have to deal with un-compassionate staff. I am all for suing when it is justified, butt IMO this is not a case for litigation. Please report the nurse.
peanut