Location: New Hampshire
I have been going back and forth with my hospital’s patient support representative on this issue and am hoping to get a perspective from this community.
I was an in-patient at a hospital in NH for an emergency (ski accident), and as part of my treatment I was sent for an MRI. After being transported to the MRI room, a hospital staff member removed my Garmin smartwatch (approx value $1000) as it contained metal and I was told it would be placed with my other personal belongings. I was unable to locate my watch after the procedure, even after checking with my nurses, radiology and security.
I was put in touch with patient services and filed a complaint, however they claim that they were not able to find it in their investigation and does not meet their criteria for reimbursement. Their argument is that they are not responsible for patient property.
Is there any legal recourse? The watch was removed from my custody by hospital staff. This seems to be a case of negligence in handling and documenting patient property, which the hospital is liable for under New Hampshire’s patient rights.