Sorry to hear that.

It sounds like there was a communication breakdown somewhere between you and the hospital. If they failed to explain their decisions to you in a manner that you could understand, then shame on them. You DESERVE to understand. However, if they provided you with an opinion and you personally disagreed with their assessment, then I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re SOL unless you can find someone who will provide another opinion or investigate.

For what it’s worth, it is VERY difficult to prove malpractice, especially when a doctor provides documentation to back up his reasoning. You also have to have suffered “to a significant degree,” and prove it beyond a reasonable doubt, before a judge even considers compensation or action against the offending party. What is considered “significant degree” depends on the judge’s opinion, too. Furthermore, even if the doctors did show signs of poor judgment, that is not always enough to win a lawsuit. So... whether you have a solid case or not, you have to figure out what outcome you expect and if it’s worth the gamble of possibly losing a lot of money. Lots of doctors are rich and can afford top lawyers. It is not about right or wrong, but about who has the better lawyers. (Not to be an asshole...)

I recommend getting your hospital documentation and speaking with a separate mental health professional. If that person feels the hospital has violated your rights or has harmed you beyond a reasonable doubt, they will help guide you in the right direction. They know the ethics of mental health care, because they have to or they can’t keep their license.