Free Case Evaluation
Kentucky Treatment Against a Patient’s Wishes Lawyers
Legal support when doctors ignore your right to refuse medical treatment
It’s supposed to be your choice what happens to your body when you go to the doctor or hospital. You have the right to say yes to treatment, but you also have the right to say no. This is called your right to refuse medical treatment, and it’s a big part of your personal freedom. Sometimes, though, doctors and hospitals ignore this right. They might perform a procedure, give medication, or continue treatment even after you clearly stated you didn’t want it. This isn’t just wrong – it’s medical malpractice.
At Crandall & Pera Law, we help people across the state of Kentucky who were treated against their wishes. If this happened to you or someone you love, we want to help you stand up for your rights and secure justice and compensation.
Free Case Evaluation
Table of Contents
- What Kentucky law says about treatment against a patient’s wishes
- What counts as treatment against your wishes?
- Why does treatment against a patient’s wishes happen in Kentucky?
- What are my rights as a patient in Kentucky?
- What kind of harm can being treated against your wishes cause?
- How can a Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes lawyer help with my case?
- What is the value of my Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes claim?
- What should I do after treatment against my wishes in Kentucky?
- Why choose Crandall & Pera Law for my Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes case?
- Do you have a Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes lawyer near me?
What Kentucky law says about treatment against a patient’s wishes
In Kentucky and throughout the U.S., every adult has the legal right to refuse medical treatment, even if the treatment could save their life. This right is protected by Kentucky state law. You can refuse treatment for any reason, including:
- You don’t trust the doctor
- You want a second opinion
- You believe the risks are too high
- You have personal or religious beliefs
- You simply don’t feel comfortable
No matter the reason, if you’re mentally able to make decisions and you clearly say “no,” that’s the end of the discussion. Doctors are supposed to respect that. If they don’t, and they go ahead with treatment anyway, that can be a form of battery, negligence, or medical malpractice.
What counts as treatment against your wishes?
Treatment against a patient’s wishes can happen in many different ways. Here are some hypothetical examples:
- A patient refuses surgery, but the doctors sedate and operate anyway.
- A person signs a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, but medical staff performs CPR against their instructions.
- Someone says no to a blood transfusion for religious reasons, but the hospital gives it to them
- A patient with a psychiatric condition is forced to take medication, even though they are perfectly capable of refusing.
- Doctors continue life-support treatment even though the patient’s living will says not to.
In all these cases, patients made their wishes clear, but those wishes were ignored. The result? Pain, trauma, loss of dignity, and sometimes, long-term harm.
Why does treatment against a patient’s wishes happen in Kentucky?
You might be wondering how something so serious could happen in the first place. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why doctors or hospitals might treat a patient against their will.
- Staff may not pass along a DNR or other instructions properly.
- In emergencies, some doctors act first and ask questions later.
- Some providers wrongly believe that “they know best” and ignore patient choices.
- Certain patients may be treated differently due to age, disability, religion, or background.
- Living wills, healthcare proxies, or advance directives are sometimes ignored or overlooked.
No matter the reason treatment against your wishes happened, it’s never okay. Your rights should be respected, and your choices matter.
What are my rights as a patient in Kentucky?
Here in Kentucky, the law gives you the right to make your own healthcare decisions. This includes the right to:
- Refuse any medical treatment at any time
- Stop treatment even if it’s already started
- Create an advance directive (also called a living will) to outline your wishes
- Name a healthcare proxy, who is someone who can speak for you if you can’t
- Have your religious beliefs respected
If these rights are violated, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit to recover damages for the harm you’ve suffered.
What kind of harm can being treated against your wishes cause?
Being treated against your will isn’t just uncomfortable. It can be traumatic and life-changing. Some of the harm patients experience includes:
- Unnecessary surgeries, medication reactions, or complications
- Anxiety, depression, and trauma from losing control over your own body
- Loss of trust in the medical system
- Violation of religious or moral beliefs
- Long-term health effects from unwanted procedures
At Crandall & Pera Law, we take these cases seriously because we know how deeply they can affect your life or that of your loved one.
How can a Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes lawyer help with my case?
If you believe you were treated against your wishes, you may have a medical malpractice case, but these types of lawsuits can be complicated. Hospitals often attempt to claim that they were acting in your best interests. This is why it’s so important to work with a law firm that understands both the legal and medical sides of the issue.
At Crandall & Pera Law, we can help you by:
- Reviewing your medical records
- Interviewing witnesses and medical staff
- Finding out what documents were signed or ignored
- Working with medical experts to show that the treatment wasn’t necessary or was harmful
- Filing a lawsuit and fighting for justice on your behalf
We handle every case with care, compassion, and a commitment to protecting your rights.
What is the value of my Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes claim?
With a successful lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses for any treatment or follow-up care caused by the unwanted procedure
- Lost wages if you missed work or can’t return to your job
- Pain and suffering, both emotionally and physically
- Emotional trauma
- Violation of your rights and dignity
- Punitive damages (in some cases only, when the actions were especially reckless or harmful)
We look at every part of your case to help you seek full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
What should I do after treatment against my wishes in Kentucky?
If you think that you or a loved one was treated against your wishes, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Here are some steps you can take right away:
- Write down everything you remember about what happened – conversations, dates, names, and how you said no.
- Get a copy of your medical records. We can help with this step if necessary.
- Gather any legal documents like a living will, DNR, or healthcare power of attorney.
- Talk to the experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law, who know how to handle these types of cases.
However, don’t wait too long! There is a one-year time limit (called a statute of limitations) for filing a medical malpractice claim in Kentucky. The sooner we can get started on your case, the better.
Why choose Crandall & Pera Law for my Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes case?
We’re not just lawyers—we’re advocates for your health, your rights, and your future. With years of experience handling complex medical malpractice cases in Kentucky, we understand how deeply personal and painful these situations can be. At Crandall & Pera Law, we offer:
- Free consultations
- No upfront costs, meaning that you don’t pay unless we win
- Personalized attention from a caring team of attorneys and staff
- Aggressive representation when it’s time to take on hospitals, doctors, or insurance companies
We’re here to listen. We’re here to fight. And we’re here to help.
Do you have a Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes lawyer near me?
Crandall & Pera Law is located at 201 E. Main Street, Suite 530 in Lexington, Kentucky. We are happy to meet with you at our offices. If you are unable to come to us, we can make other arrangements, like visiting you in the hospital or setting up a virtual online meeting.
Talk to an experienced Kentucky treatment against a patient’s wishes attorney today
No one should be forced into medical treatment they didn’t want. If your rights were ignored, you deserve answers, and you may deserve compensation. At Crandall & Pera Law, we’re ready to help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. Let’s talk about what happened, and how we can help you move forward with confidence. Please call us or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation.