A St. Inigoes man injured in a motor vehicle accident in June has filed a lawsuit against a Prince George's County hospital for the harrowing treatment he allegedly received. Joseph Wheeler, 46, suffered injuries to his torso and shoulder in a car crash and was taken to Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly. When he woke up the next morning and asked for food, he was told by hospital staff that he was not supposed to eat because he was scheduled for surgery to have a cancerous mass removed from his chest.
Wheeler then noticed that his hospital bracelet identified him as a female patient in her early 30s. When he explained the situation to his wife, they attempted to leave the hospital, but Wheeler claims that he was intimidated and harassed by security guards. A former St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department employee, Wheeler complained to hospital security that they had no authority to prevent him from leaving, but he was required by a hospital administrator to sign a release before escaping the bizarre situation. He sought and received immediate treatment at another hospital for a head injury, shoulder sprain, broken ribs and a ruptured spleen.
Wheeler and his wife are seeking over $12 million in compensatory and punitive damages from the hospital for false imprisonment, assault and battery, and infliction of emotional distress. But due to his own persistence, he was able to make sense of the situation before he became a victim of medical malpractice.
Taking Civil Action to Hold Negligent Parties Accountable
Patient misidentification is a chilling scenario to anyone who must invest their trust in the hands of health care professionals. But other medical mistakes can be just as hazardous: improper prescriptions, administration of the wrong dosage, surgical errors, and failure to inform a patient of the risks of a procedure can all cause serious harm.
In Mr. Wheeler's case, the initial accident must also figure into his consideration of paying for medical expenses and property losses. Motorists and passengers who suffer serious injuries often turn to experienced personal injury lawyers to understand their full range of legal options and prospects for recovery of damages. An attorney can assess the full extent of any injuries and identify all potentially liable parties to help victims recover compensation that meets their future needs.
