Has Anyone Ever Sued Someone for Causing Tinnitus?

[MRItechssuck]

How would one ever prove that tinnitus happened or got worse due to the actions or inactions of another?

I didn't know MRIs were so loud, even though a simple internet search would have clued me in. Yes, I feel stupid for not checking and taking it for granted.

The tech didn't give me a panic button or earplugs, just the cheap headphones so she could say, "one more scan."

Yes I'm angry with her, and myself.

My tinnitus from 12 years ago was habituated, but this is like when it first happened, hell all over again.

I believe it's medical malpractice... but it would seem difficult to prove.

 

[JohnAdams]

You should be able to sue for this. However, we live in a world full of idiots and the first thing their lawyer would say is "the court has not even seen any evidence of these damages" or something like that.

This really is one if the most horrific conditions because of complicating factors like this. At the end of the day, very few people really care.

 

[Chinmoku]

The main problem is that the damage is not measurable objectively. They could come up with alternative "explanations" (anxiety, depression...) and it's your word against theirs. Not giving you the panic button, however, is malpractice regardleds so perhaps you could use that.

 

[MRItechssuck]

I agree with all that is written. But unfortunately it would be the techs word against mine, even thought the first thing I said to her was, "wow that was loud." And then she responds... "well now you know for next time."

It would be funny if not so sad. This is as bad as my first run with tinnitus... I just hope it gets better over the next month... and hope it doesn't take around 10 years to "get used to" again.

Thanks for all the comments though... no one without tinnitus knows what we are going through!

 

[all to gain]

The main problem is that the damage is not measurable objectively. They could come up with alternative "explanations" (anxiety, depression...) and it's your word against theirs. Not giving you the panic button, however, is malpractice regardleds so perhaps you could use that.

My GP said I could have had it since i was young but had only just noticed it. Hilarious really. Except I'm not laughing.

 

[JohnAdams]

My GP said I could have had it since i was young but had only just noticed it.

That's just insane.

 

[MRItechssuck]

I was amazed 15 years ago how little the medical community knows or CARES about tinnitus. I am amazed more that they still don't have a clue!

For something "that affects 1 in 10" people, especially military folks....why isn't there any urgency!

Sorry rant over...May everyone have a better day tomorrow than today.

 

[DaveFromChicago]

In the State of Illinois as a Plaintiff you would have to establish that the prescribed drug (or MRI) was the only and sole cause of the tinnitus.
A physician's malpractice carrier would attempt to have such a suit invalidated for insufficient evidence (and don't even think of a successful suit against the Drug Manufacturer).
Also, no Plaintiff's attorney would see any potential in such a Cause of Action.

 

[Elmer B Fuddled]

Suing for mri may as well toss biscuits to the bears. We have no argument to stand on.

 

[MRItechssuck]

Oh yes, just this morning an attorney said they couldn't take the case.

It's unfortunate that tinnitus sufferers can't even prove to a stranger what we are afflicted with, let alone a court/judge.

Hey Dave, I am in Illinois....have you had any success with any ENTs in the area? I've heard prednisone in high doses may help...like 60mg/day x7.....but the 6 day dose packs anyone wants to prescribe is like 4mg x 10 pills (40mg) for the first day decreasing from there.

 

[JohnAdams]

We have no argument to stand on.

We have an amazing argument. It will just fall on deaf ears.

 

[all to gain]

I was amazed 15 years ago how little the medical community knows or CARES about tinnitus. I am amazed more that they still don't have a clue!

For something "that affects 1 in 10" people, especially military folks....why isn't there any urgency!

Sorry rant over...May everyone have a better day tomorrow than today.

Because nobody really cares. Military folk are cannon fodder for the elite and money would be better spent on new military equipment than on tinnitus. We are all expendable, even in civilian life.

 

[TBH]

They deserved to be sued, but I'd take a cure or any relief from this horror rather than the money.

 

[tiniturtle]

There's no possibility of that holding up in court. There are risks involved in all kinds of medical procedures. Diagnostic or otherwise. When I have an MRI I am always given earplugs and a panic button. They should have done that, but it's not something you can go to court over.

 

[all to gain]

There's no possibility of that holding up in court. There are risks involved in all kinds of medical procedures. Diagnostic or otherwise. When I have an MRI I am always given earplugs and a panic button. They should have done that, but it's not something you can go to court over.

What about if I asked a doctor about the side effects of a drug three times only to be told that it has none three times? I then took said medication and got tinnitus almost immediately.

 

[tiniturtle]

What about if I asked a doctor about the side effects of a drug three times only to be told that it has none three times? I then took said medication and got tinnitus almost immediately.

That happened to me too. There's really nothing you can do.

 

[all to gain]

That happened to me too. There's really nothing you can do.

Well, there is one thing you could do.

Don't you feel pissed off with the doctor? Didn't you say anything to them? What did they say?

 

[Chinmoku]

Well, there is one thing you could do.

Don't you feel pissed off with the doctor? Didn't you say anything to them? What did they say?

A conscientious doctor should have told you the side effects with the related statistics. They never do that because if they did it with every medication they prescribe it would take hours BUT if you asked him 3 times he should have definitely told you. My psychiatrist almost laughed at me when I showed him data where tinnitus was.a frequent side effect for pregabalin.

 

[Daniel Lion]

A conscientious doctor should have told you the side effects with the related statistics. They never do that because if they did it with every medication they prescribe it would take hours BUT if you asked him 3 times he should have definitely told you. My psychiatrist almost laughed at me when I showed him data where tinnitus was.a frequent side effect for pregabalin.

Lose the shrink.. your psychiatrist is dangerous to your health and life. Lose the motherf*cker asap. You have mentioned this individual and your ENT being negligent, ill-informed, and unable to do their job. Reading what you have said and being concerned for you... this makes me furious. If I was in your city I would unleash a can of whoop ass on a doctor not taking you seriously and endangering you.

Lose these doctors asap... find new specialists that are compassionate and intelligent.
Please do this Chinmoku for yourself and family.

Daniel

PS. I won't even go into my story with medical negligence... damage done... a perfect storm, like many, and here I am.

 

[all to gain]

A conscientious doctor should have told you the side effects with the related statistics. They never do that because if they did it with every medication they prescribe it would take hours BUT if you asked him 3 times he should have definitely told you. My psychiatrist almost laughed at me when I showed him data where tinnitus was.a frequent side effect for pregabalin.

He was probably the typical up himself psychiatrist whose god is pharmacology. He probably thought who is this minion to be showing me 'the great psychiatrist' data about side effects. Guy needs taking down a peg or two.

 

[Chinmoku]

Lose the shrink.. your psychiatrist is dangerous to your health and life. Lose the motherf*cker asap. You have mentioned this individual and your ENT being negligent, ill-informed, and unable to do their job. Reading what you have said and being concerned for you... this makes me furious. If I was in your city I would unleash a can of whoop ass on a doctor not taking you seriously and endangering you.

Lose these doctors asap... find new specialists that are compassionate and intelligent.
Please do this Chinmoku for yourself and family.

Daniel

PS. I won't even go into my story with medical negligence... damage done... a perfect storm, like many, and here I am.

I have an appointment with a new psychiatrist who is also a specialist in drug withdrawal. Thank you for your concern, Daniel. Many of us have been left down by the medical profession.

 

[Star64]

I have an appointment with a new psychiatrist who is also a specialist in drug withdrawal. Thank you for your concern, Daniel. Many of us have been left down by the medical profession.

I hope you find a caring compassionate Doctor, I really do, I was lucky I found a specialist in drug withdrawal. He was not a psychiatrist though, however, he does work from a large private psyche hospital as well as for himself and he told me he would not recommend some of the psychiatrists he knows as they are purely pill pushers...

Of course I already know this, I worked beside some of these idiots throughout my career. Not all were bad, don't get me wrong but I used to feel so sorry for the patients that had doctors who would see them for 5 minutes and just poly drug them.

It's so sad healthcare can cause more problems than good sometimes, one has to be vigilant with what medical procedures or medications they take...

Fingers, toes and everything crossed for you Chinmoku

 

[Star64]

Lose the shrink.. your psychiatrist is dangerous to your health and life. Lose the motherf*cker asap. You have mentioned this individual and your ENT being negligent, ill-informed, and unable to do their job. Reading what you have said and being concerned for you... this makes me furious. If I was in your city I would unleash a can of whoop ass on a doctor not taking you seriously and endangering you.

Lose these doctors asap... find new specialists that are compassionate and intelligent.
Please do this Chinmoku for yourself and family.

Daniel

PS. I won't even go into my story with medical negligence... damage done... a perfect storm, like many, and here I am.

I hear you Daniel, the medical profession have let so many of us down on this site, I am so sorry you are also suffering because of medical incompetence.

You are such an inspiring special man Daniel, you continue to support others even though I know you must struggle so much yourself.

I hope your children and wife are giving you big hugs, you deserve them

 

[Cape crusader]

I'd like to sue my ENT who damaged my high frequency hearing with microsuction ear wax removal but I don't have a baseline audiogram to compare before and after.

 

[Daniel Lion]

I hear you Daniel, the medical profession have let so many of us down on this site, I am so sorry you are also suffering because of medical incompetence.

You are such an inspiring special man Daniel, you continue to support others even though I know you must struggle so much yourself.

I hope your children and wife are giving you big hugs, you deserve them

Everyday... thanks Star64... we are happy, and I am coming along well. Me and the family are happy. I fight for peace everyday and am prepared to continue that way till my dying day. I am blessed to have a supportive family and friends and soulmate sufferers like you. Thanks for your kind words.

Love and hugs, Daniel

 

[MRItechssuck]

Update: I'm screwed, with no resolution. It will come down to my word against the technician's.

"Siemens Healthineers has investigated this matter... Generally, the MAGNETOM Espree can produce acoustic noise levels up to the maximum level defined in the MR safety standard IEC 60601-2-33. The noise level can vary, depending upon the conditions of the room in which the MR system is installed and upon the different procedures the MR System is performing. Siemens MR System Operator's Manual provides clear descriptions for patient care to our customers that a patient has to be provided with adequate hearing protection; patient to be informed of noise development during the MRI examination; and within each MR system owner's manual, we indicate the required level of hearing protection.

Headphones worn by patients are intended to facilitate communication with the operator; additional hearing protection, typically ear plugs, is required. Assessment of the reported incident does not indicate a system failure or malfunction. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

 

[Gman]

Update: I'm screwed, with no resolution. It will come down to my word against the technician's.

"Siemens Healthineers has investigated this matter... Generally, the MAGNETOM Espree can produce acoustic noise levels up to the maximum level defined in the MR safety standard IEC 60601-2-33. The noise level can vary, depending upon the conditions of the room in which the MR system is installed and upon the different procedures the MR System is performing. Siemens MR System Operator's Manual provides clear descriptions for patient care to our customers that a patient has to be provided with adequate hearing protection; patient to be informed of noise development during the MRI examination; and within each MR system owner's manual, we indicate the required level of hearing protection.

Headphones worn by patients are intended to facilitate communication with the operator; additional hearing protection, typically ear plugs, is required. Assessment of the reported incident does not indicate a system failure or malfunction. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your inquiry.

They didn't provide you with earplugs and they said additional hearing protection IS required

Chuck Norris sued, but he would have deep pockets. Ain't no one is gonna fk with Chuck Norris.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2017/11/02/chuck-norris-sues-10-m-over-mri-chemical-he-says-poisoned-wife/824839001/

Psychic sued and won over a CAT scan that she said ruined her powers:
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-30-mn-1672-story.html

This Texan woman, not so lucky:
https://people.com/health/texas-woman-mri-ear-damage/

 

[Jack23]

I want to sue my doctor for telling me to use a drug in a wrong way which caused my tinnitus. He prescribed "only in outer ear" antibiotic drop through nose which made it reach my inner ear and left me with muffled ears and tinnitus. But I'm sure court will not care as it's invisible condition..

 

[AliasM]

Reviving old thread. MRI is one of the many potential causes for my tinnitus and hyperacusis. I had an MRI on my adrenal gland. I wore headphones and they gave me breath holding instructions but no earplugs. I am so angry. My tinnitus seems to be at the severe end of the spectrum. 3 months and counting. It was a pointless MRI too on an incidental finding that turned out to be fine.

 

[MRItechssuck]

I want to sue my doctor for telling me to use a drug in a wrong way which caused my tinnitus. He prescribed "only in outer ear" antibiotic drop through nose which made it reach my inner ear and left me with muffled ears and tinnitus. But I'm sure court will not care as it's invisible condition..

I am not here much anymore... some of the people on this site are great, but there has been such little progress.

Mine is severe... you need to get a hearing exam if you haven't already. If you have previous hearing tests... get those records. Get the make and model of the MRI since some manufacturers require hearing protection, and contact or complain to the manufacturer.