# Friend slices finger in half- docs turn him away **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 5, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888 "2005-04-05T19:20:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/41 "2005-04-05T23:09:09Z")
Lessons Learned: For sure, now I will never leave home without my American Express card, especially if I am planning to place my hand on a coconut and then whack at it with a machete. Another thing we will probably never know is the nature of the “clinic” where the victim was supposedly refused treatment. Was it a neighborhood urgi-center? A naturopath’s office? Fred’s House of Medicaid Scams? Who knows? I am all for improving American medical care, but not on the basis of this anecdote. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/42 "2005-04-05T23:13:14Z")
From what I understand, he had wads of cash from the till of place he was working at the time. The doctors only accepted checks or credit card payments. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/43 "2005-04-05T23:16:48Z")
The most likely scenario I can make out of all this is that the doctor’s office he went to first was not equipped to handle stitching up his finger for whatever reason, so they sent him someplace that was. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/44 "2005-04-05T23:19:32Z")
Some kid comes running in off the street with a hacked up finger, wads of stolen cash, but no credit/insurance/checkbook looking for a quick patch up, and the docs are supposed to go along with it??? “Please stitch up my finger, I have a fistful of cash!” I’d tell you to hit the bricks too, or call 911 if it were a real medical emergency. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/45 "2005-04-05T23:22:49Z")
The clinic is a “primary and urgent care facility” which treats “urgent health problems and illnesses that must be treated immediately and cannot wait for a regular medical appointment”, including “accidents and falls” and “bleeding.” It is one of only three places I know of to get urgent care within city limits. The third one is Student Health Services on the UCSC campus. ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/46 "2005-04-05T23:28:37Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Some kid comes running in off the street with a hacked up finger, wads of stolen cash, but no credit/insurance/checkbook looking for a quick patch up, and the docs are supposed to go along with it??? Actually, if I were the doctor/staff, I’d stitch his finger up to keep him busy until the cops get there. ---
**Author:** ![Daisy\_Mae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daisy\_Mae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daisy_Mae)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/47 "2005-04-05T23:28:51Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Some kid comes running in off the street with a hacked up finger, wads of stolen cash, but no credit/insurance/checkbook looking for a quick patch up, and the docs are supposed to go along with it??? > > “Please stitch up my finger, I have a fistful of cash!” I’d tell you to hit the bricks too, or call 911 if it were a real medical emergency. Exactly. Did he have his ID with him? You can’t imagine how many people show up for “urgent” treatment who (it turns out later) were involved in some kind of crime. Police to Dr: We understand you treated a guy today whose finger was severed, we need those records. A woman was able to grab a knife and hack his finger during a rape attempt. Let’s have those records. Dr to police: Uh, sorry… he came in here with wads of cash and I just couldn’t resist! This story is a bit like playing telephone, it’s hard to tell what the original scenerio was considering we’re getting it on down the line. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/48 "2005-04-05T23:34:14Z")
> [@Daisy Mae](#): > > This story is a bit like playing telephone, it’s hard to tell what the original scenerio was considering we’re getting it on down the line. exactly- this reminds me of the scene in Johnny Dangerously where the parrot brings news to Johnny in prison. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/49 "2005-04-05T23:40:33Z")
> [@even sven](#): > > Is this an indictment of the American medical system? To some degree. The organization responsible for- and paying for this guy’s wounds is a struggling small community business that may go under if this case becomes any more complicated (for example, if their insurance rates go up, more complicated treatement is required or if workers’ compensation is involved.) Dozens of people, including the guy involved, could lose their relatively well-paying jobs and the community would lose a great resource. Nobody wants that. But because of the way that medical care works in America, my friend got turned away from a doctor, may have got sub-par treatment (who knows if his finger is going to be alright or not? All I know is that the doctor sent him on his way, not that he got great treatment), and was let go without any pain control whatsoever. Okay, based on this, I’m going to have to insist on some clarification here. Is this a workplace injury? The employer is supposed to have a procedure already in place for workplace injuries. The procedure is supposed to include the address of the clinic that is contracted to provide emergency medical services. It seems to me that if the place of business is both paying “relatively high wages” to “dozens” of people and cutting corners on its statutorily mandated on-site insurance policies, they are somewhat overstaffed, and need to devote some of their payroll resources to their capital infrastructure. Of course, the above is based on my certainly incomplete understanding of the situation. Hence, my request for clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/50 "2005-04-05T23:59:02Z")
After re-reading that quote, this situation is getting more and more bizarre. The company is responsible for and paying for the wound, but they don’t have medical insurance and can’t pay workers comp? WTF kind of company has their workers hacking at coconuts with a machete and hasn’t made any provision for medical accidents? Dozens of people have well paying jobs at this “struggling” business. I agree with kaylasdad99, maybe they should have a few less well paid workers, but get their finances straight. This drama is just a killer, doesn’t anyone just act like a responsible adult anymore? ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/51 "2005-04-06T00:00:28Z")
He held the coconut in one hand then struck at his coconut-holding hand with his machete-holding hand?? What are they **teaching** Banana Slugs these days? > [@](#): > > From what I understand, he had wads of cash from the till of place he was working at the time. “Hey fellas! I got me some GREAT tips tonight! Who wants a coconut?” \ “AAAAUUUUGH!!!” 😕 ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/52 "2005-04-06T00:02:36Z")
> [@Daisy Mae](#): > > Exactly. > > Did he have his ID with him? You can’t imagine how many people show up for “urgent” treatment who (it turns out later) were involved in some kind of crime. > > Police to Dr: We understand you treated a guy today whose finger was severed, we need those records. A woman was able to grab a knife and hack his finger during a rape attempt. Let’s have those records. > > Dr to police: Uh, sorry… he came in here with wads of cash and I just couldn’t resist! > > This story is a bit like playing telephone, it’s hard to tell what the original scenerio was considering we’re getting it on down the line. What exactly are you proposing we do about this? Withold medical treatment untile someone proves that they did not get hurt during a crime? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/53 "2005-04-06T00:09:35Z")
> [@treis](#): > > What exactly are you proposing we do about this? Withold medical treatment untile someone proves that they did not get hurt during a crime? My question exactly. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/54 "2005-04-06T00:13:10Z")
> [@treis](#): > > What exactly are you proposing we do about this? Withold medical treatment untile someone proves that they did not get hurt during a crime? No, but I don’t think demanding ID from an ambulatory patient is out of line. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/55 "2005-04-06T00:27:44Z")
And if they don’t have ID or refuse to provide it? ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/56 "2005-04-06T00:30:30Z")
What’s funny is the fact that prisoners are guaranteed medical care. So, really, the best thing to do if you don’t have ID is to rob someone on the way to or at the clinic. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/57 "2005-04-06T00:32:09Z")
> [@treis](#): > > And if they don’t have ID or refuse to provide it? They don’t get treated. Why is that so hard? ---
**Author:** ![chukhung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@chukhung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chukhung)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/58 "2005-04-06T00:34:50Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > The company is responsible for and paying for the wound, but they don’t have medical insurance and can’t pay workers comp? WTF kind of company has their workers hacking at coconuts with a machete and hasn’t made any provision for medical accidents? According to this [page](http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/faqs.html) > [@](#): > > California law requires employers to have workers’ compensation insurance. > … > An employer’s failure to have workers’ compensation coverage is a criminal offense. [Section 3700.5 of the California Labor Code](http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=lab&group=03001-04000&file=3700-3709.5) specifies that it is a misdemeanor punishable by either a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both. Additionally, the state issues penalties of up to $100,000 against illegally uninsured employers. > > If your insurance coverage lapsed and an employee was injured on the job, you are responsible for ensuring that all claims related bills are paid. Contact the [information and assistance officer at the local DWC district office](http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/IandA.html) for further information. You may also contact the [Uninsured Employers’ Fund](http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/claims.html). ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/59 "2005-04-06T00:37:43Z")
I have question. **sven** , is any of your information first hand? Your OP _reads_ like a 3rd hand account. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888/60 "2005-04-06T00:40:17Z")
I will add that the ‘Urgent Care’ facilities in MY area (San Fernando Valley) would NOT be equipped to handle a nearly severed finger. They are essentially a doctor’s office for people without insurance or people who did not want to wait for a regular appointment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/friend-slices-finger-in-half-docs-turn-him-away/297888.md?page=4)