Should this man be paid back?

**sara** · 05-09-2007, 07:46 PM

Misdiagnosed man seeks compensation Mon May 7, 7:07 PM ET

LONDON - A man who said he spent his life savings after being told he had months to live is seeking compensation after doctors conceded they had got the diagnosis wrong.

John Brandrick, 62, was told two years ago that he had terminal pancreatic cancer, Britain's Press Association news agency reported. He decided to spend his remaining time in style, quitting his job and spending his savings on hotels, restaurants and holidays.

A year later, doctors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in southwest England revised their diagnosis: Brandrick was suffering from pancreatitis, a non-fatal ailment.

"My life has been turned upside down by this," Brandrick said. "I was told I had limited time to live. I got rid of everything — my car, my clothes, everything."

Brandrick said he did not want to take the hospital to court, "but if they have made the wrong decision they should pay me something back."

The hospital said there was "no clear evidence of negligence" on its part.

"Whilst we do sympathize with Mr. Brandrick's position, clinical review of his case has not revealed that any different diagnosis would have been made at the time based on the same evidence," the hospital said in a statement.

**Twigz** · 05-09-2007, 07:53 PM

I say pay the man. He will probably get nothing, but if he had smoked for 50 years knowing that it would kill him and developed lung cancer... then he would be getting paid.

**Little Wing** · 05-10-2007, 02:28 AM

yes he should be.

**ponyboy** · 05-10-2007, 03:46 AM

No. I would never assume that the doctors were right. How many times do doctors misdiagnose in a year? A lot. If that guy is stupid enough to give up and spend all his money then too bad. Cancer isn't always a death sentence.

**Vieope** · 05-10-2007, 04:20 AM

Maybe that is the best thing that happened to him. He learned to enjoy life for a while.

**Witmaster** · 05-10-2007, 07:08 AM

It is incumbant upon all of us to seek second (and sometimes multiple) opinions regarding matters of our health.

If a doctor tells you that you have a terminal illness it is in your best interest to seek a second professiojal opinion to validate this diagnosis.

Now, despite the fact that this tool decided to take the irresponcible road and completely squander his life's savings on God-knows-what is beside the point. In today's culture... He'll get paid.

He could make a good claim that the mis-diagnosis caused him ecessive stress and worry and drove him emotionally and psycologically into "Life Crisis" which resulted in his unrestrained spending habits and squandering of his finances.

Lawyers love a good malpractice suit. Jury's love to pay victoms.

**Pepper** · 05-10-2007, 07:28 AM

He's actually broke now because of his own actions. I don't see him getting paid.

**Witmaster** · 05-10-2007, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Pepper

He's actually broke now because of his own actions. I don't see him getting paid.

I agree.. but all it takes is one good lawyer to pull the emotional heartstrings of a sympothetic jury and the guy is an instant millionaire.

**Pepper** · 05-10-2007, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Witmaster

I agree.. but all it takes is one good lawyer to pull the emotional heartstrings of a sympothetic jury and the guy is an instant millionaire.

Or a defendant who doesn't want the hassle/expense of a trial and just offers to settle.

**tucker01** · 05-10-2007, 08:49 AM

Do I feel bad for him sure, I couldn't imagine having to deal with that turmoil.

Should he get his money back... absolutely not.

**Witmaster** · 05-10-2007, 09:00 AM

Oh... and on a side-note...

Sara... you look great!

**DontStop** · 05-10-2007, 09:09 AM

The hospital should only be responsible to any psychological trauma that has occured. If someone told me I'd die in a few months, I probably wouldnt be living it up, but wallowing in self pitty. Also, why blow your life savigns on hotels and resteraunts? I'd be saving it for my oh so costly funeral, instead of leaving my family in debt. (i dont have life insurance yet haha..this is just me)

It is a shame though that he spent all his money, i can understand how he would want to live his life to the complete fullest. If he was still working at 62 he probably wasnt working a good job or anything in the first place

**KentDog** · 05-10-2007, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by DontStop

The hospital should only be responsible to any psychological trauma that has occured.

This could be difficult, as it is sometimes hard to put a dollar amount on punitive damages.

**DontStop** · 05-10-2007, 12:48 PM

Yah exactly. As it would be difficult for a hospital, who is caring for hundreds of patients, to pay back a mans life savings...depending on how much it was.

**tucker01** · 05-10-2007, 02:39 PM

Like was said earlier. If I was giving that diagnosis, I certainly wouldn't admit defeat, at least not till after a 2nd and 3rd opinion.

**maniclion** · 05-10-2007, 03:24 PM

Pacreaitis and Cancer are 2 completely different things I think he should at least get some money for being told he was going to die, that alone must have caused severe mental anguish. How did he deal with the anguish, by spending his money trying to live life to the fullest before his death.

When i was in the Navy I got called to the Chaplains office, my Division Officer was there...they told me my father had just passed away....I spent hours in pain thinking I had just lost my Dad, then they called me back in and said they had made a mistake, they had read the message wrong and it was my Step-father who had died, which was still hard to take but not as hard as thinking my Father who had raised me had died.....I was furious with them, I threw a chair across the Chaplains office.....

Thread: Should this man be paid back?

Thread Tools

Display

Should this man be paid back?

Similar Threads

Have you ever paid for sex?

How much you paid for your gym?

Got PAID?

Posting Permissions