Unusual Incident / Trip to ER

Sheila · 08-20-2006, 04:35 AM

Friday, I went shopping at a large "chain" department store. I was in the aisle looking at rugs for my 2 doggies, and I turned around and felt a stab in my L (affected) arm. The blood started flowing immediately...(I seem to be much more of a bleeder on Herceptin/Xeloda)...I reached into my purse to grab a kleenex, then noticed this sharp thick wire sticking out from a bed cpomforted package.....I had found the culprit that caused my puncture wound! I then went to find someone from the store that I could get a bandaid and something to clean the wound with....the next thing I know, I have the store manager, and 2 more employees, one with a camera and one with an alcohol wipe and bandaid. Of course they wer concerned about getting pictures of the wire poking comforter...I cleaned the wound, put the bandaid on and told them that my concern was I have a puncture wound in my L arm, where lymph nodes have been removed...and felt I needed to get it checked to avoid infection. Also, I had not had a tetanus shot in 10 years....the store people laughed and said, "Oh, you'll be fine, just a little puncture!" I called my local GP, and he told me to go to the ER for Tetanus, Antibiotic Cream and Antibiotics....which I did. The ER Docs reitereated the significance of a puncture wound (which are the dirtiest) to a post mastectomy arm and the risks of infection and possibility of lymphydema from this. Like WE ARE NOT EVEN TO GET A SHOT IN THE AFFECTED ARM BUT A PUNCTURE WOUND IS SOMETHING TO BE TREATED PROFESSIONALLY. It was deep, hit the muscle so now I have a huge bruise and puncture wound! I was given Augmenten (kills your stomach & 80.00 ) and Bactroban Cream (whoa, 75.00 a tube) and Tetanus. I called the store to tell them that my insurance will not cover this when they find out it was an accident, and asked what they would like me to do. I don't feel I should have to pay 400.00 worth of bills for something that happened in a store. The became very arrogant and said I was taking it to the extreme, going to the ER (hey its a weekend, no Dr's office open) and getting antbiotics and Tetanus.....looks like it will be a fight to get the bill paid....GUESS NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER HAD CANCER AND LYMPH NODES REMOVED! Am i being unreasonable here, expecting them to foot the ER bill?
Just my advice...if you get a dirty wound to the affected arm, do get it checked, the complications could last a lifetime if you don't! Puncture wounds are the worse, as the ER dr. said, and our infection fighting is compromised due to lack of nodes.....

tousled1 · 08-20-2006, 06:33 AM

Sheila,

No you are not being unreasonable in expecting the store to pay the medical bills. If they don't, I would get a lawyer and pursue it. I'm not in favor of suing people but your case in entirely different. Having breast cancer and having had a mastectomy you have to be extremely careful with the affected arm in order to avoid lymphedema. I hope the antibiotics and cream help prevent an infection. Do write a letter to the manager of the store or call and ask to speak to him/her. If you get no response then I would call the headquarters of the store and speak to someone higher up. Good luck to you.

Barbara H. · 08-20-2006, 08:20 AM

Hi Sheila,
I am sorry that had to go through this. The store should readily compensate you for this. If they don't, I would go to the president or owner. Tell them that you are contacting the Better Business Bureau if this issue is not resolved. I have been told that this method can work and save you a lawyer.
Good luck,
Barbara H.

Becky · 08-20-2006, 08:22 AM

Sheila

You did the right thing about going to the ER. You are right about puncture wounds - they are the worst. We must be very diligent to our affected side forever. You needed oral antibiotics and a good dressing for sure.

The store is responsible for what happened. They just think you are taking things to an extreme because non bc people don't realize how serious any injury to the affected arm is. My 2 cents - they should pay. You should write a very good, informative and even toned letter and include all receipts (copies) of the bills. You should explain what happened and why you needed to be so diligent with this wound (explain the bc/lymph node removal/lymphedema prevention action you took. You could even explain why puncture wounds are the worst for anybody and especially for a woman like you. Then, see their response. If none, follow up with a phone call and after that, you could see a lawyer. Seeing a lawyer from the get go is a pain in the butt when all you really want is a few hundred dollars. Also, they didn't do anything purposefully negligent (like locking exit doors or something like that). They just never noticed the wire which is easy to miss. Now they will look so it doesn't happen again.

Big hug to you.

Becky

Montana · 08-20-2006, 08:30 AM

As a business owner myself, we all carry insurance for just this type of event. Ask for the name of their insurance carrier...call them and let them know what happened. They WILL pay for this, don't worry.

Sue

Sandy H · 08-20-2006, 10:21 AM

My two cents worth. I worked in a hospital rehab for many years and this included getting billing information for the billing department. We had to ask every patient if this was an accident and where it happened and how. We also took their insurance which meant copying all insurance cards. The billing office would then bill the insurance if they denied because of a third party payer being involved such as homeowner, workmen comp, auto insurance, business, even private pay such as dog bites, falling down stairs or off someone's steps and there are others. The chances of you having to pay these bills is 0!! I doubt if you will need to get an attorney. Like Becky says send them a letter with copies of your bills and tell them you only want your bills paid if not possible then you may have to think of further compensation. Doesn't mean you will do it but make them think you will. You did the right thing is getting this checked out and not waiting. People don't understand the seriousness of lymphedema even some cancer patients. Wishing well and let us know how you make out. hugs, Sandy

Sheila · 08-20-2006, 11:01 AM

Thanks everyone for all the tips and moral support on this one....that is exactly why YOU are all so important to me and many others....like one big family of sisters...some older, some younger, but all with so much care, concern, love and understanding.....YOU ARE ALL THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

StephN · 08-20-2006, 11:25 AM

Je-e-z-z-z- what a way to ruin a weekend!
Wouldn't want to hurt that cycle riding ability - just joking ...

The advice from others has been good and what I would expect.
You may need a letter from your doctor to the appropriate department to go along with the bills and receipts for meds. This way there is NO doubt of the importance and timliness of your actions to take care of this wound.

(I can't imagine any wires sticking out of a bedding package anyway! Never seen such a thing myself. Maybe a government agency needs to be called in about that??)

chrisy · 08-20-2006, 12:39 PM

Good Grief! They should have fallen all over you with apologies, gifties, and of course pay the medical bills. I agree with what has been said already - get all your "documents" together, (maybe take a picture of that nice bruised arm!) then once you're loaded for bear, write a comprehensive letter to the store manager, cc the corporate office of the chain. My guess is they will most definitely pay, and without much of a fight. Too bad you had to be subjected to such inappropriate treatment by some poorly trained store clerks and managers. I'm sure this will work out for you in the end, and I hope easily. Like you don't have enough on your plate already!
Take care
Chris

RhondaH · 08-20-2006, 04:31 PM

You MAKE them cover it...no matter what it takes to get them to do it. Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

G. Ann · 08-20-2006, 10:25 PM

Sheila,

Even if you never had BC, a puncture wound due to the store's neglience should be covered by their store insurance. You've received good advice from our group members. All I could think of was to get a note from your oncologist stating the precautions for puncture wounds for your affected arm due to breast cancer and lymph node removal and the life long problems of lymphedema. It might be helpful to alert the headquarters regarding the lack of sympathy and follow-up you've received so far. Thanks for sharing. It's good info for all of us in case we have an injury to seek medical attention for puncture wounds.
G. Ann

pattyz · 08-21-2006, 05:22 AM

If there is ever a time to play the "Breast Cancer Card" this IS IT!!!!!!!!
Go get 'em, Sheila...

big hugs,
pattyz xoxox

Jean · 08-21-2006, 05:46 AM

Sheilla,
Follow through and what is the name of this store - are they a national outlet
or brand name that we would know of outside your area....others should be aware of their non-caring attitude.....if they are not considering payment you may want to share with them they you will not hesitate to follow through on their behavior in every possible way. I am in charge of an office where we deal with the public also and I have had to have training in dealing with any problems that could arise in the work place for the public while in and out of our corporate offices. They are responsable - what I find most offensive is their "LACK of concern for your welfare. They should consider themselves lucky you are not
having a serious reaction.

Good Luck and keep us posted.
Jean

koolbreeze · 08-21-2006, 06:02 AM

Sheila, you know that the store is liable for this, otherwise they would not have had a camera and been taking pictures of the wire. That is what insurance is for, and regardless if "they" think you needed the additional attention, your doctors can verify that. They will pay up, you just will probably have to be a little forceful.

Good luck. Kool

jhandley · 08-21-2006, 06:37 AM

You should definately get them to pay. Hope you recover well.
jackie from Down Under