Was my doctor negligent? Your opinions please.

[hlthe2b]

6. I doubt it... Not knowing exactly what the first physician said, it is hard to say, but

he did tell you that you had evidence of a broken elbow that had healed poorly. In medical parlance that equates to seeing evidence of degenerative joint disease.

Perhaps he/she didn't explain it in terms that were understandable or failed to fully make you realize what would increase its rate of future degeneration, but I would truly doubt that a medical board (or a civil proceeding with expert witnesses) would determine that the physician was guilty of negligence. Sorry, but in all likelihood (and I FULLY understand your hands being tied from lack of insurance that prevented your being seen at the time the problem first arose), a review panel or jury would conclude you to be negligent for failure to seek care earlier (at the time the elbow injury first occured, that might have prevented the start of DJD).


'Wish I could provide you with a more favorable assessment. I really DO understand and empathize with you.