For Lakeland Regional Medical Center the fiscal year that just ended showed
a 61 percent increase in charity care over the previous year. Lakeland
Regional Medical Center gave $116 million in charity care in fiscal year
2007-08. In fiscal year 2006-07, the hospital gave $72 million in charity
care. Charity care is simply care given in all areas of the hospital where
there is very little chance of the hospital recovering those costs. Additionally,
there was a substantial increase in bad debt being written off because
patients had not paid for their care. The Lakeland Regional Medical Center
Emergency Department continues to be one of the busiest in Florida and
the recent fiscal year was no exception. Even properly equipped and staffed,
mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, even medical malpractice can happen.
Thankfully, Lakeland Regional Medical Center has one of the best prepared
emergency room staffs in the entire state. If you believe you are a victim
of medical malpractice, contact Lilly, O’Toole & Brown for a
free consultation to learn your rights.
