No matter what kind of drug rehab facility you’re in, one of the things they’re supposed to do is provide medical care. Drug rehab is difficult because there’s a medical element to it. That brings up questions when there’s a medical emergency and the facility doesn’t respond in the right way. Our team at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC can answer your questions. Set up a free consultation today.
What Kinds of Medical Emergencies Happen Inside a Drug Rehab Facility?
Medical care probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you check into a drug rehab facility in Kentucky, but it’s actually a crucial part of your treatment. And the reality is, the problems you’re trying to deal with are medical in nature. That means things can go wrong quickly, and that adds up to an emergency. Usually, this includes things like:
- Severe withdrawal symptoms
- Seizures during detox
- Overdose or medication reactions
- Breathing problems
- Heart complications
- Severe dehydration
- Falls or other physical injuries
These situations don’t always start as emergencies, but they can easily end up there. This is especially true when the rehab facility is negligent in some way. When staff ignore those warning signs, a situation that could have been managed early can quickly become far more serious. That brings up questions about your options.
What Options Do I Have If the Staff Ignores a Medical Emergency?
Ignoring a medical emergency inside a drug rehab facility is pretty clear negligence. It doesn’t necessarily matter what kind of emergency it is, either. The facility—through its management and staff—is legally responsible for whatever injuries come up because of their inaction.
And like any other injury situation that comes up because of negligence, you have options for filing an injury claim to hold the facility accountable. You can do this by:
- Filing an insurance claim with the facility or its parent company.
- Filing a civil lawsuit against them.
The idea behind either option is the same—help you recover from your injuries. Medical emergencies in this environment are pretty serious, and sometimes turn fatal. That’s why the law protects you and gives you these options. But specifically, it’s about getting financial help for what went wrong, and what you and your family are left dealing with. Your “damages” in an injury claim, then, usually include costs for things like:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital bills
- Ongoing care or rehabilitation
- Lost income if injuries affect your ability to work
- Physical pain or long-term health problems
- Emotional distress
- Changes to independence or daily life
- Funeral and burial expenses in fatal cases
It’s also important to know that Kentucky places a time limit on these claims. In many cases, you only have one year from the date of the injury to file. After that window closes, it can become much harder—or impossible—to move forward.
Reach Out to Kaufman & Stigger After Negligence in a Kentucky Drug Rehab Facility
Entering rehab in Kentucky is a big step. For many people, it’s one of the hardest decisions they’ll ever make. Patients and their families place a lot of trust in these facilities to provide structure, support, and basic medical care during a very vulnerable time.
If you or someone close to you was hurt after staff ignored a medical emergency our team at Kaufman & Stigger can walk you through your options, help review the available evidence, and explain what the next steps might look like. Set up a free consultation today.
