Offer suggestions or not?

[AndrewMcCarthy]

It doesn't seem like you're offering "medical advice" by telling them which hospital to go to. If you tell them where to go and they have a bad experience you can always tell them it probably would've been even worse at the other place.

Anyway, I suppose you could say something to a crewmate like "I've always had good luck at Such-and-Such General" within earshot of the coach if you're really paranoid about things. That way he's still making his own decision.

[TXMike]

Seems to me any such recommendations would be more correctly made by the home school staff.

[MNBlue]

This is completely not a officiating question. It is a good Samaitan question. If you have information to help another person get proper medical treatment, you should offer it; especially a stranger in a strange town.

No brainer to me. I don't see the dilema. Give your opinion and let the coach make his own decision.

[Texas Aggie]

This is going to sound callous, but I'm not getting involved (nor is my crew) in ANYTHING related to a medical decision for any player. Doing so could open one up to some liability.

For example, its settled law in most jurisdictions that medical malpractice is a "reasonably foreseeable" consequence of medical practice, thus if you are negligent and injure someone in a car accident, for example, you could still be held liable for damages involved in the med-mal portion of the case (say he dies) because you started the chain of events. Yes, this is a different situation than the auto accident, since you were negligent in causing the injury there and here, you aren't, but its not a big stretch to at least argue liability for the one recommending the hospital where negligent care takes place. Different states have different negligence law and its doubtful that, here in Texas for example, this would hold up. But...there's no real reason to put yourself in that position.

This isn't your responsibility. Don't make it such.

[CO ump]

Ljudge,

You make it sound like the hospital you went to is incapable of making a correct diagnosis. If this was true they of course would not be in business.
We live in a very litigous society where a mis step in diagnosis and treatment can cost millions. Too many mis steps and the cost of opening the doors becomes too expensive.
The vast majority of hospitals contract out the emergency room services to private contractors and I wouldn't be surprised if the same company provides the service to both the "good" and the "bad" hospitals in your area.
My point is
I'm sure the kid was treated properly regardless of the hospital, however, if you felt in your heart that the kid was at risk by going to the wrong hospital you certainly have a moral obligation to speak up. There were many ways to do this without liability.
If your son got hurt while out of town would you want responsible bystanders to act out of concern or out of fear of lawsuit?

[bossman72]

i wouldn't have done anything either as Texas Aggie stated- we are too easily sued in this day and age.

[TXMike]

I just don't understand why we need to insert ourselves when there is the home school staff (who likely has as much or more experience with area hospitals than we do) who is right there?????