Man Says He Was Beaten, Detained at Hospital Just for Trying to Walk Out

Aug. 30, 2010— -- After he allegedly escaped unnecessary chest surgery, a Maryland man says he was detained, beaten, and repeatedly called a "bitch" by security at Prince George's Hospital in Cheverly, Md., as he attempted to seek medical care elsewhere.

Now the patient, Joseph Wheeler, 46, and his wife Felicia Ann, 44, of Inigoes, Md., are suing the hospital, for more than $12 million for, among other charges, false imprisonment.

Though assault and battery and infliction of emotional distress (the other charges filed by Wheeler) are not usually a concern during a hospital stay, Wheeler's allegations raises an important question for patients: when can a hospital detain a patient against his or her will?

Wheeler was brought to Prince George's Hospital Center via ambulance June 23 following a car accident and treated for blunt torso trauma but no acute injuries, according to the complaint he filed with the Prince George County Court. When he awoke the next morning, he was allegedly informed by a nurse that he would be receiving surgery "to have a potentially cancerous mass removed from his chest."

Wheeler says he soon realized that his identification bracelet provided by the hospital contained a name that was not his and appeared to be that of a woman 13 years younger. Wheeler said he "began to fear for his safety... as he was being prepped for a surgery he knew nothing about," according to court document.

He and his wife gathered his belongings and were attempting to leave the hospital when two security guards allegedly detained Wheeler. Wheeler claims the men shouted profanities at him, put on black padded gloves and proceeded to shove him against the wall, then taking him into an elevator where they beat him while he lay on the floor in a fetal position.

Hospital staff and the security guards allegedly attempt to forcefully take the incorrect ID bracelet from Wheeler several times and he was interrogated by a "lieutenant." After speaking with a hospital administrator and signing a release form acknowledging that he was leaving the hospital against medical advice, Wheeler was able to seek treatment at nearby St. Mary's Hospital.

There he was diagnosed with four broken ribs, a sprained shoulder, a ruptured spleen, and a concussion, according to court documents.

The Wheelers are suing for $3.2 million in compensatory damages and $9.5 million in punitive damages.

Calls requesting comment from hospital staff or from Dimensions Health Corporation, which owns the hospital, were not immediately returned.