Family sues hospital over snakebite death (Kentucky)

Lexington Herald-Leader ^ | November 8, 2007 | Bill Estep

[Still Thinking]

She at least is massively comparatively negligent, if not the sole proximate cause of her own injury and demise

Sure. Even if they were negligent and delayed treatment, I would think she was at least 50% responsible. And you're right, so far we've only heard the family's side of the story.

[Sybeck1]

Any verses to go with the snake handling beliefs?

[thackney]

Seems like they are blaming others for their own lack of faith!

Seems to be bigger problem than that...

A nurse met Long and those with her in the parking area outside the emergency room. Rather than take Long in right away, the nurse engaged Long and her family "in a lengthy and time-consuming series of questions" that went far beyond getting information needed to treat the snakebite, the lawsuit states.

After being taken into the hospital at 8:09 p.m., Long said she was having trouble breathing, and asked for oxygen. Hospital employees gave her a portable, oscillating fan as they allegedly "snickered and made derogatory comments" to employees -- and Long's family -- about the religious beliefs and circumstances under which she was bitten.

[Kozak]

Agree. Find it hard to believe anyone took a rattlesnake bite to the face lightly.

[Vaquero]

"Homer, I was born a snake handler and I'll die a snake handler."

[i_dont_chat]

Anyone can file a lawsuit. It’s another matter to actually prove it.

[Señor Zorro]

My thoughts exactly. It is amazing how people can latch onto certain verses without taking the whole Bible in context.

[najida]

The argument could be used for someone who was driving too fast while drinking— and hit a tree, smoked like a chimney with heart disease— and had a heart attack, was burning leaves and threw gas on the fire— and got 3rd degree burns.

Many people brought into ER have some culpability in their injuries, that’s just a given. Chainsaws with wired together parts that let go, frying chicken nekkid the first too high and talking on the phone, cleaning the bathroom with chlorine bleach and ammonia.

Some are dumber than others.

But you keep your damn mouth shut! Save the snarks for the break room or at home “Honey, you won’t believe what we treated today!”

[Still Thinking]

Another poster suggested there may have been no delay and they were just making snarky comments while proceeding with treatment, or that it may have been other, uninvolved staffers. If so, I wouldn’t support any liability for the hospital at all. The woman deserves to have her intelligence questioned, as long as it didn’t compromise her treatment.

[ClearCase_guy]

Any verses to go with the snake handling beliefs?

“ And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ” Mark 16:17-18

“ Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ” Luke 10:19

[thackney]

Mark 16:17-18 (New International Version)

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

(King James)

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

And no, I’m not recommending the act or condoning their act, just answering your question.

[pax_et_bonum]

And after she said that she was having trouble breathing as early as 8:09 the hospital doctor told the emergency helicopter crew that breathing wasn't the problem.

At 8:28 p.m., hospital personnel contacted the air ambulance service. When the helicopter arrived 12 minutes later, the crew asked the doctor to put in a tube to help Long breathe, but the doctor said her airway was not the problem and told the flight crew to get her to Lexington quickly, the suit says.

Long's heart stopped on the way. She was pronounced dead at 10:50 p.m. at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

One side of the story and as both will have lawyers(liars),
there will be a compromise!

[Still Thinking]

“And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” — Mark 16:17-18

Expect a new Drano-drinking religion.

[Still Thinking]

I see several other posters beat me to it.

Also note that the verse is phrased as a prophecy, rather than a command.

More like "If you have to pick up a snake for some reason while you're doing my will, don't be afraid, I'll take care of you" vs. "Go out and pick up snakes. You'll be fine."

[rlmorel]

"...Anyone can file a lawsuit. It’s another matter to actually prove it..."

Well, actually, all one needs is a liberal judge, a Edwards type of lawyer, and a jury pool like the one that failed to convict OJ Simpson.

Really, though, I don't get it.

Isn't the whole point of handling snakes to demonstrate your faith in God?

And if the snake bites you, isn't it kind of going against God's will to try to try to negate the bite?

[MEGoody]

The whole snake handling bit misses what Jesus said: 'Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.' Yes, Paul was protected when he was bitten by a snake that crawled out of a pile of wood that had been set on fire. But never does scripture indicate that we should be handling poisonous snakes to prove our faith.

Having said that, if the people at the hospital did, indeed, give less than the normal level of care, they should be sued and lose.

[Dante3]

I agree. They should have treated her first, worried about everything else later.

[dforest]

I have to wonder why the reason the woman was bitten by the snake was even discussed prior to treatment.

You take her to the ER, tell them she was bitten by a snake, they treat it as a dire emergency and worry about why later.

The reason she was bitten really had nothing to do with the treatment.

[savedbygrace]

In this case, it was more like Snakes on a Plain.

(Anyone who’s seen female Holiness Church members know that’s funny.)