When someone living in Illinois goes to the hospital, they expect they will be treated with care and compassion, but that does not appear to have been the case for one man who was dropped outside a rehabilitation center after spending two weeks in the hospital. A medical malpractice lawsuit has now been filed against the hospital.

The 50-year-old man in this specific case began experiencing mental health issues about nine years ago. Last January, he was taken to the hospital to be treated for schizophrenia. His wife regularly called the hospital and visited him. However, when the man was discharged from the hospital, his wife was not notified and the man was dropped off outside of a rehabilitation center. The man never went inside and began wondering the streets. Police did not find him until a few days later.

"Not knowing where he was was very scary," the man's wife said. "I just had this feeling that something was wrong."

Hospital officials say policies and procedures were followed, and that the man agreed to go to the rehabilitation center. They maintain that patient safety is their number one concern.

Despite that, the hospital is accused of elder abuse, false imprisonment and hospital negligence.

When people go to the hospital, they assume they will receive the best care possible. When a hospital, doctor or other medical professional is negligent, they should be held responsible. People deserve to receive proper care and treatment. If they do not receive that, they may be eligible for compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "L.A. hospital accused of patient-dumping," Anna Gorman, Feb. 4, 2012