Blood Donation Gone Wrong

[Imparfait]

I donated blood a few weeks ago and ended up in the hospital after blacking out and hitting my head on the hard tile floor (and chipping a tooth in the process). The bill for the ambulance and the hospital visit just came in, and my insurance doesn't cover it.

I went in to do some good and ended up with a chipped tooth, dizziness, and a bill of $1500+. Does the Red Cross have any sort of policy that covers expenses when something goes wrong during a donation?

[Imparfait]

Thanks a bunch, guys. The Red Cross will definitely be hearing from me in the near future.

[caregiver222]

Yup. They are liable. Don't pass go. Don't collect $200. And it was insane of them not to have you reimbursed. Last I heard the head of the Red Cross took home $500,000 a year, plus an expense account.  The Red Cross is not mother Theresa. Their CPR courses are a cash cow. I had a run in with them years ago when I ordered them off a military base.  I was singularly unimpressed with the organization. You have an easy case for small claims court, if you want to go Pro-Se. You'll get your ambulance bill paid, plus your dental bills. You have a legitimate tort action against them, and don't hesitate in pursueing this. You won't get rich, but you will get your basic medical bills covered. Send the bill to the Red Cross, registered mail, return receipt requested to the head of your local chapter and give them a time to pay it or you will initiate a claim in court. Thew cost of them answering your claim will exceed the costs of the hospital bill, dental work and ambulance run, so I am pretty sure they will cough up the cash.

[RubyWitch]

I donate blood often and as you know, we sign a lot of papers. Have you ever read the fine print? Me neither. So it's anybodies guess what we may have signed away. BUT............it is my humble opinion that when one goes in to "do some good" and you are, basically, putting your life in the hands of the phlebotomists drawing the blood, one would just sort of naturally assume that they are watching you for signs of trouble, i.e. PASSING OUT AND FALLING OFF THE GURNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would call the Red Cross, explain the situation in a very calm and reasonable manner and see where that gets you. If they say they are not responsible because you signed something releasing them from ANY AND ALL liability, you may be screwed. But ask for a copy of your signed statement to be sent to you and tell them they will be hearing from either your lawyer or the Atorney Generals Office very soon. Most lawyers will offer a few minutes of free advice. I would suggest a personal injury lawyer as my first line of defense. I would also consider calling a major newspaper and speaking with one of their reporters. I think this would make a very good human interest article and I have no doubts the Red Cross would not like to see themselves on the front page or the eleven o'clock news! I don't think you should just crumble and pay this bill. (Yet) Like I said, you MAY have given up all your rights, but I'd sure as hell go down fighting! And I would never donate for the Red Cross again if the type of people they hire to do the blood draws were totally oblivious to the fact you were in trouble! It is THEIR JOB to make sure you are OK and they failed quite miserably in your case. Also consider writing a letter to the editor of every major newspaper you can. Hopefully some editor will deem your story newsworthy, which I think it is. I really wish you luck on this as I think you're getting shafted by one of the worlds most reknowned do-gooders! Fight the good fight!
Greenlydia

[tee1972]

I dont think they are liable but seeing that the red cross donates sooooooooo much time and money to so many different worldy disasters I would just call them and explain that you cant offord to pay this bill can they help you out