My brother was in the hospital June 2nd. In ICU. I informed the staff that he was bipolar with an anxiety disorder. The next day they called me and informed that my brother left AMA. 13 hours later he was dead. (Short Version).The Hospital was supposed to or are currently doing an investigation, it has been over a month. I followed up, but feel that I am being passified while so much time passes by. What are my options here?
Welcome! Thank you for your question. Let me say that I am sorry for your tragic loss.
The administrator of his estate has a right to request his medical records. The Medical records will allow the administrator of the estate to take those records to a medical malpractice attorney who can evaluate if the hospital is liable for the wrongful death of your brother.
The administrator, or anyone else, can also file a complaint with the Licensing and Certification Division of California Department of Public Health. Here is their website. http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/LnC/Pages/lnc.aspx
If no one is qualified as administrator then someone will need to go to the probate court to request to be appointed administrator for the purposes of pursuing a wrongful death claim. Once the papers of appointment are issued that person has full legal right to see the entire medical file of your brother.
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