My PTSD resulted from medical malpractice. Had 4 hip surgeries. Spent almost 3 years in bed trying to get it fixed (it finally is). At times I was treated as a drug seeker. Had many doctors refuse to treat my pain. But the real question is regarding two docs in particular. One never saw me - "D1" (he was a specialist, the best in his field in my State) and the second is the doc who replaced my hip the first time "D2."
After 2 failed hip scopes, I got another opinion and was referred to D1. I waited 6 weeks to see D1 and was seen by a NP instead, who misdiagnosed me (even though they had all my records from the doc who had correctly diagnosed my problem but wasn't able to fix me because he was retiring and the surgery was tricky). Then saw D2 for hip replacement because I couldn't take the pain anymore. D2 wanted me to see D1 to make sure my hip couldn't be spared. I reluctantly agreed (pain from the trip was a lot, plus concerned about the wait to get in again). D1's office sent referral. I waited and didn't hear anything. Called D1's office to report I had not heard anything yet from D2's office. I was given a number to call to check appointment myself. I did that. The woman from D1's office took my info, put me on hold and then came back to tell me that D1 agrees w his NP, and there is nothing further he can offer me and that he is sending email to D2 to tell him that. I called D2's office, relayed the conversation and asked to be scheduled for surgery, which I was.
Had hip surgery. On day 2 following surgery I received a call at home from D1's office, who were calling me to schedule me for consultation. I explained I didn't need consultation because I had hip replaced after I was told D1 wouldn't see me. The woman on the phone sounded flustered, stuttered a bit and then said she was sorry and hung up. I thought about the conversation for awhile and then wrote a letter to D1 explaining my concerns w the communication in his office and my disappointment with the care I received there.
Following my surgery by D2, my hip troubled me. It initially was better than before surgery, but never healed the way it should have. I couldn't walk without a limp, it hurt all the time.... D2 kept ignoring my complaints. I finally got a second opinion who thought that my implant was infected. While copying records from my file for the second opinion I found a letter that D2 had written to my disability company telling them that D1 had called him and said that I had threatened to sue him (which I never did) and advised D2 to be careful of me. In the letter D2 wrote, he called me a liar and manipulative. He never mentioned the phone call from D1 to me, nor did he mention that he wrote the letter to my disability company that got my disability denied.
It was discovered when I had my hip revised that D2 had put cup in at wrong angle and also made my operative leg over 1" too long. Both were corrected by new surgeon and I am currently recuperating.
I've discussed suing these docs and my therapist has told me it will probably trigger me. For awhile I thought I'd let it go and move on with my life. But lately I'm angry. I don't think it's fair that they intentionally did things to harm me and no consequences for them. Because I wasn't able to work (or care for myself because of the pain) I had to move in with my son, file bankruptcy and can't afford the health care I need. I am strongly reconsidering suing and want to know if any of you have done so, and if you'd do it again. Maybe I should just let it go and move on?
After 2 failed hip scopes, I got another opinion and was referred to D1. I waited 6 weeks to see D1 and was seen by a NP instead, who misdiagnosed me (even though they had all my records from the doc who had correctly diagnosed my problem but wasn't able to fix me because he was retiring and the surgery was tricky). Then saw D2 for hip replacement because I couldn't take the pain anymore. D2 wanted me to see D1 to make sure my hip couldn't be spared. I reluctantly agreed (pain from the trip was a lot, plus concerned about the wait to get in again). D1's office sent referral. I waited and didn't hear anything. Called D1's office to report I had not heard anything yet from D2's office. I was given a number to call to check appointment myself. I did that. The woman from D1's office took my info, put me on hold and then came back to tell me that D1 agrees w his NP, and there is nothing further he can offer me and that he is sending email to D2 to tell him that. I called D2's office, relayed the conversation and asked to be scheduled for surgery, which I was.
Had hip surgery. On day 2 following surgery I received a call at home from D1's office, who were calling me to schedule me for consultation. I explained I didn't need consultation because I had hip replaced after I was told D1 wouldn't see me. The woman on the phone sounded flustered, stuttered a bit and then said she was sorry and hung up. I thought about the conversation for awhile and then wrote a letter to D1 explaining my concerns w the communication in his office and my disappointment with the care I received there.
Following my surgery by D2, my hip troubled me. It initially was better than before surgery, but never healed the way it should have. I couldn't walk without a limp, it hurt all the time.... D2 kept ignoring my complaints. I finally got a second opinion who thought that my implant was infected. While copying records from my file for the second opinion I found a letter that D2 had written to my disability company telling them that D1 had called him and said that I had threatened to sue him (which I never did) and advised D2 to be careful of me. In the letter D2 wrote, he called me a liar and manipulative. He never mentioned the phone call from D1 to me, nor did he mention that he wrote the letter to my disability company that got my disability denied.
It was discovered when I had my hip revised that D2 had put cup in at wrong angle and also made my operative leg over 1" too long. Both were corrected by new surgeon and I am currently recuperating.
I've discussed suing these docs and my therapist has told me it will probably trigger me. For awhile I thought I'd let it go and move on with my life. But lately I'm angry. I don't think it's fair that they intentionally did things to harm me and no consequences for them. Because I wasn't able to work (or care for myself because of the pain) I had to move in with my son, file bankruptcy and can't afford the health care I need. I am strongly reconsidering suing and want to know if any of you have done so, and if you'd do it again. Maybe I should just let it go and move on?
