I'll try to make this short. About a year ago, my 75-year-old dad had a knee replacement. He complained about it not feeling right, weak and all that. He's a complainer generally, so we didn't pay as much attention as we should have, I suppose. He's also overweight, and we thought that wasn't helping his situation.
He finally had it looked at, by 2 different doctors at 2 different facilities, and both of them agreed that a large muscle was not attached properly. Said it was pretty obvious, and was a huge oversight. Turns out that the doctor who did the surgery has also been in & out of alcohol and/or drug rehab more than once, before and after his surgery. The current doctors also said that further surgery would only have a 50% chance of success.
Sounds like malpractice to me... Dad talked to a lawyer, who indicated that it would be expensive to pursue and difficult to prove. My parents have limited means, and it would be a burden to have big legal bills. Dad is very shy about asking for money. He does not want to sue the pants off of anyone, but he is clearly worried about needing nursing or other help in the future if he can't get around, and thinks that he should be assured by the medical group that did the surgery that he could get help in the future if it is needed. A friend of theirs suggested to him that he contact his medical insurance (they pay $600 per month for what is, I suppose, a Medicare supplement) and that their attornies might pursue it, since they will have to pay for additional surgery, etc. It worries me that if he does that, the insurance company might drop them.
They are 500 miles away, so I can't hold their hands through appointments, etc. What would you all suggest I tell them to do? Any input is welcome.
Thanks,
CJ
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