Stories of so-called “Patient Dumping” have been in the news lately. Over the last year, several Chicago hospitals have been in the spotlight for alleged patient dumping schemes. Patient dumping is the practice of transporting patients to another facility without first providing adequate medical treatment or medical screening. Following are some of the things you need to know about patient dumping:
- Hospitals that are fully capable of providing medical treatment to patients are turning patients away or simply transferring them to other medical care facilities.
- Often, high medical care costs and a patient’s perceived inability to pay are the primary contributing factors to patient dumping. Hospitals face significant loss when they care for uninsured or underinsured patients. In anticipation of these costs, patients may be denied treatment or prematurely discharged from the hospital.
- Patients with mental illness are frequently transported to other facilities like psychiatric centers, other hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, or even jails.
- Hospitals that knowingly, willingly, or negligently fail to comply with legislation against this practice face penalties and the possible suspension of their Medicare Provider agreements.
Patient dumping is not only discriminatory toward the patients in need of medical care, but it is also extremely dangerous. Patients have suffered severe injuries and even death due to the practice.
If you have suffered a severe injury due to patient dumping or a medical error, contact a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer at Lane Brown for help. Our knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys will fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact our office today at 312-332-1400 to schedule your free consultation. We are standing by to help.
