[HelgaDE]

Do I have a lawuit case?

After being thrown out of an outpatient treatment center for a invalid reason. I became angered and very frusterated as of the cause for my discharged from the outpatient center. For those who want to know what the reason. During my outpatient psychatric treatment I had an Emergency root canal done to my front top tooth.. I was nearly crying in pain while i was at the treatment center. I was allowed to call my father and to make an early appointment to the dentist A.S.A.P to get this resolved. My father manage to get an appointment on the same day. I was allowed to leave early and to get my tooth fixed. Okay... After getting my root canal done.. The dentist prescribed me 2 medications. 1 was an Antibotic (Penicillin) and the other was a Painkiller, I was still in pain but not as much. Now I had told my Case manager that I was prescribed theses 2 medications... I don't want to hide anything from my case manager. I showed her the bottles to see that I'm not getting them off of the streets. I do not know what was in the pain killer (I think I was on tylenol with codeine) but after doing a urine test... the test came back postive of opium. All hell came lose. I felt that my case manager Failed me by not LISTENING! She told me over the phone to not come in for group in the morning but to come in the afternoon (which group is already over by then). I already know whats up. I already had tons of %#@&#! that was in my mind... Like the death of my mother and how it would be her first year (Feb 24th 2005) of her death. I needed FULL support this time around because I have no other support except my father... which i needed MORE than my father for support. Now the next day I became overly anxious about this ideal. I went to the treatment center and talked to my case manager. I didnt even bare to listen to what she was saying because I already knew that she was discharging me (kicking me out) I was also at the time fueled so much emotions during her lecture. I stumpled out of the office and walked home (Yes the treatment center is so close to my house that i could walk to it!) Without even telling her bye. At home I begain to abuse myself. I Took a razor blade and slashed my shoulders, and back.. I was filled with cuts. I waited foir 3 hours to relax. I was on the computer playing games. After 3 hours was up I thought of going back there to try to talk to somebody from the night program (which anybody is welcome). I was doing okay until i saw my Case manager... I became extremely PISSED again! (I was wearing my trench coat at the time to hide my wounds) my emotions were raging up. I was touching my shoulders and the cutt area so i can feel the pain that i was in at the time. While I was there another person was having some problems as well.. He confessed of swallowing some razor blades (he lied about it) and so he as being baker acted... I was about to express my feelings by throwing chairs around and letting them really have it. A nice woman who works for the night program invited me to her office to talk... I was talking about how i was wrongfully discharged and how i needed alot of support for what was coming up. At the time i had my painkillers bottle on me.. I blew up and mention something and i went over and grabbed my pills and attempted to put the entire bottle of pills in my mouth but cried instead. I was in so much pain from being betraded from the program that I was out of control... Of course they baker acted me as well... I was giving the cop a hard time and manage to slip out of the cuffs once... when I was at the hospital.I was put into the quiet room where i calmed down. They gave me some time to cool off, which is what I NEEDED!

They told me to take off my bra and at the time i didn't felt like taking it off.. the nurse told me again and told her no. She threaten to call security and i said fine.. The nurse called security and what do you know... 6 to 8 male SECURITY guards came and blocked me into the quiet room and told me to take off my bra. I was so SHOCKED that i couldnt believe what I was hearing. I had always thought that it was suppose to be Females thats suppose to do this and it was required by law? I felt that i was violated and that i felt that i was sexually harassed in the psychatric hospital. I don't know if i have a possible lawsuit but i dont think i can get me any witness to tesitifed against the hospital

Anyhow theres my story

[JustBen]

Sounds like a pretty horrible situation. I don't know much about lawsuits, unfortunately. I hope you can find the support you need here and hopefully with a new program or therapist.

[HelgaDE]

I wanted to file a lawwuit at the time but unfortunatly whos going to believe a person who has been commited to the psych hospital 5 times? The courts might think that Im a disgruntled patient trying to collect money from them. We really dont have any justice at all.

I also cant afford a lawyer

no you don't have a lawsuit. I am assuming since your discharge was for taking the painkillers and testing positive for drugs at a possible drug recovery program. basically in those programs they have every right to discharge a person when they test positive regardless of the reason. that is why during intak e and classes they tell the clients when seeking medical treatment let the treating professional know you are in the treatment program and you cannot take anything stronger than NORMAL aspirin or NORMAL tylenol. That way the doctor will advise you on a dosage of those that will help the pain but not get you into trouble with drug rehab.

As for the hospital strip/searching - they had every right to do that too. Its standard protocal for involuntary commitment that the person be stripped and given a hospital gown and their personal items (clothing and whatever they bring with them) is locked up and given back to them only after they have been stabilized. And no they are not required to have gender specific security to enforce this. Especially when dealing with highly volitile patients such as those being involuntarily committed. Been through it myself three times.

[(JD)]

Well, only a lawyer could tell you for sure, but then, some of them will take money for any reason, and yes anyone can sue anyone for anything (it doesn't mean you'll win.)

I had a friend who had a similar situation. She had verified allergies to medications (one of the reasons we knew each other.) and had a depressive reaction to one, which landed her in the presence of a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist (who has now been banned from a few local hospitals and is considered off center himself - yet he continues to practice-) was full of himself and didn't listen to the patient. She, of course, was unbalanced and telling lies. So he gave her more medicine, not believing in her allergies. I think her regular MD was on vacation? Anyway he ended up Baker Acting her for no psychological/psychiatrict reason. This included isolation on suicide watch which, as you may know, including stripped down room and person. Her complaints assisted in the hospital's decision to, years later after I had had a run in with him also, dispel him. She received no assistance from the professionals in filing charges and suing the guy, though.

I think the best you can hope for is to have your record expunged of the event?