Anna Meier Sues Hospital Over Lifelong Colonoscopy Complications
Anna Meier is suing a hospital after a colonoscopy left her with lifelong health issues. The procedure, using an APC probe, accidentally perforated her colon. Meier's health insurance, SWICA, is not pursuing legal action, leaving her to fight for compensation herself.
Meier's colonoscopy in 2018 went awry, leading to a lifelong dependency on treatments and pain medication. The Swiss Patient Organization argues that a 'normal' colonoscopy would have sufficed, as the APC probe was not indicated in her case. A protective substance, a 'cooling cushion', should have been injected beforehand to prevent the perforation, but this was not done. The perforation resulted in annual treatment costs exceeding 70,000 francs in the first year alone, with additional costs added each year.
Proving fault in medical liability cases is notoriously challenging and expensive. SWICA maintains that its trusted doctor found no evidence of a breach of duty of care, considering the perforation an intervention-related complication. Meier, however, believes the hospital is liable and is seeking compensation for her care costs. Her lawsuit is a rare case, as health insurers typically aim to prevent unnecessary costs for premium payers.
Anna Meier's colonoscopy mishap has left her with lifelong health issues and escalating medical costs. Despite SWICA's stance, she is pursuing legal action against the hospital, seeking compensation for her care costs. The outcome of her case could set a precedent for medical liability in Switzerland.
