Sorry Works! Launches Patient/Family Crisis Hotline

Sorry Works! is proud to launch the "Patient/Family Crisis Hotline."  This is a resource for patients and families who have experienced adverse medical events, including possible medical errors.  

There is no organized effort to help patients and families dealing with adverse events, including possible medical errors, other than casual or flippant advice to "find a lawyer," . Most patients and families are lost post-event, feel abandoned, and often have no idea where to turn or what to do.  It's a mind-blowing process that wounds people physically, mentally, and spiritually.

There is nothing wrong with lawyers (some of my best friends are lawyers), however, patients and families faced with an adverse medical event are dealing with complex, emotionally charged situations with many moving parts. They need more sophisticated and nuanced advice than simply, "Call a lawyer."  

The Sorry Works! patient-family crisis hotline will be a resource for these consumers. It's a sympathetic ear.  We will listen, help them organize their thinking, and provide some practical advice. Please note...this is NOT a legal service. We will not review the merits of a case (because we are not equipped to), nor will we judge the potential value of a case.  Instead, we will listen and hopefully provide some thoughts to help grieving people move forward.  We will educate and discuss potential options. In most instances, we will suggest that the first step for patients/families is to return to their doctor/hospital/nursing home with questions and see what happens.  If a family ultimately decides to sue that door slammed in their face, unreturned phone calls or e-mails, etc will be valuable evidence for their case --- or they might not need litigation because they may find a physician and hospital/nursing open to problem solving and reconciliation.  We will stress the importance of documenting, journaling, and making timelines, and provide thoughts on what resolution of a case can mean. We will discuss lawyers, state medical boards, the media, and social media ---and what "sorry" and reconciliation can look like.   

As part of our hotline, we have a booklet for patients and families entitled, "Did the Doctor Make a Mistake?"  This quick read provides practical advice, tips, and guidelines for patients and families coping with potential medical errors.  Copies can be ordered here. 

Please help us spread the word about the Patient-Family Crisis Hotline.  Thank you!

- Doug

Doug Wojcieszak, Founder and President
Sorry Works!, a 501c3 non-profit organization
618-559-8168 (direct dial)
doug@sorryworks.net