New Widower Octogenarian from Michigan

Colleen said:
"I have thought about it but figured it's such an emotional time for me right now that I'm not sure I'm thinking straight. I guess asking a lawyer would be the only way to know, wouldn't it?"

There are malpractice lawyers in your state and I believe there is a 2 year State of Limits for filing wrongful death claims in PA.
They would need a copy of you husband's complete medical files and then they would surely have an independent doctor
fully versed in Cardiology and any other conditions your husband had to determine if malpractice caused his death.

If an autopsy was done they would need a copy of that as well.
I obtained my husband's medical records a few months after he died. I also got a copy of the autopsy---- done on him because he was an organ donor.

As soon as I got the medical records, I knew something went drastically wrong. He had what the VA called a sinus infection that caused him to faint on the VA job. He told me they did an EKG right away but said nothing about it, so we assumed this was not a cardio problem. The ER Certificate had medical terms that indicated abnormal heart problem and the next page showed the EKG, and I knew right away he had a heart attack that day and no sinus infection at all. For the next 6 years he was never treated for heart disease , went to ever medial appt, but no more EKGs until he had a major stroke from the untreated ischemic heart disease and died 2 years after that.

Lawyers I called were of no help at all and said I could never succeed on this type of case (FTCA- Federal Government case)

and none could recommend a malpractice lawyer because lawyers were not allowed to advertise their specialties on the internet in those days.


So I did all of the medical and legal work myself. BUT I do not advise anyone else to do that, unless they have a legal and medical background. As a disabled veteran's advocate I dealt with living vets and /or their survivors, when it appeared to me that they had a cause of action against the VA for medical negligence, advising them to get copies of all of the medical records and then get a lawyer, keeping in mind the Statue of Limits in their state.

The VA saves lives every day! But , just as with private hospitals, malpractice does happen.

If I had no taken legal action, I know I would still be wondering why my husband died. I advised many survivors to get a thorough independent medical opinion, because , even though it might be expensive, they would know why their spouse died, and if NO malpractice at all had occurred, then the value of Peace of Mind, in my opinion, outweighs the cost of a medical opinion.

Still, this is a hard time for you ,to think about these things. But maybe a good time to write down somewhere what you told us here as to the ER, the time they ambulance took, what happened at the hospital etc....sometimes grief makes us forgetful and
interferes with the Have tos we have to do after a spouse dies.
 

Widow of Vietnam Vet said:
Colleen said:
"I have thought about it but figured it's such an emotional time for me right now that I'm not sure I'm thinking straight. I guess asking a lawyer would be the only way to know, wouldn't it?"

There are malpractice lawyers in your state and I believe there is a 2 year State of Limits for filing wrongful death claims in PA.
They would need a copy of you husband's complete medical files and then they would surely have an independent doctor
fully versed in Cardiology and any other conditions your husband had to determine if malpractice caused his death.

If an autopsy was done they would need a copy of that as well.
I obtained my husband's medical records a few months after he died. I also got a copy of the autopsy---- done on him because he was an organ donor.

As soon as I got the medical records, I knew something went drastically wrong. He had what the VA called a sinus infection that caused him to faint on the VA job. He told me they did an EKG right away but said nothing about it, so we assumed this was not a cardio problem. The ER Certificate had medical terms that indicated abnormal heart problem and the next page showed the EKG, and I knew right away he had a heart attack that day and no sinus infection at all. For the next 6 years he was never treated for heart disease , went to ever medial appt, but no more EKGs until he had a major stroke from the untreated ischemic heart disease and died 2 years after that.

Lawyers I called were of no help at all and said I could never succeed on this type of case (FTCA- Federal Government case)

and none could recommend a malpractice lawyer because lawyers were not allowed to advertise their specialties on the internet in those days.


So I did all of the medical and legal work myself. BUT I do not advise anyone else to do that, unless they have a legal and medical background. As a disabled veteran's advocate I dealt with living vets and /or their survivors, when it appeared to me that they had a cause of action against the VA for medical negligence, advising them to get copies of all of the medical records and then get a lawyer, keeping in mind the Statue of Limits in their state.

The VA saves lives every day! But , just as with private hospitals, malpractice does happen.

If I had no taken legal action, I know I would still be wondering why my husband died. I advised many survivors to get a thorough independent medical opinion, because , even though it might be expensive, they would know why their spouse died, and if NO malpractice at all had occurred, then the value of Peace of Mind, in my opinion, outweighs the cost of a medical opinion.

Still, this is a hard time for you ,to think about these things. But maybe a good time to write down somewhere what you told us here as to the ER, the time they ambulance took, what happened at the hospital etc....sometimes grief makes us forgetful and
interferes with the Have tos we have to do after a spouse dies.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have thought about writing down everything that happened just to have a record...just in case. It's easy to forget details when there's so much to do. I hate the thought of reliving it all, but I think it would also be therapeutic for me. Great advice. I appreciate it. Now, to figure out how SS is going to pay and when.
 
The SSA, when you notify them of his death, will be able to probably increase your benefit fairly quickly. I am assuming it should be increased.......not 100% sure.....

Also there might be this SSA benefit:
"To be eligible for this payment, the surviving spouse must be living in the same household with the worker when he or she died. If they were living apart, the surviving spouse can still receive the lump-sum if, during the month the worker died, the spouse met one of the following requirements:

 

Widow of Vietnam Vet said:
The SSA, when you notify them of his death, will be able to probably increase your benefit fairly quickly. I am assuming it should be increased.......not 100% sure.....

Also there might be this SSA benefit:
"To be eligible for this payment, the surviving spouse must be living in the same household with the worker when he or she died. If they were living apart, the surviving spouse can still receive the lump-sum if, during the month the worker died, the spouse met one of the following requirements:

Click to expand...
The funeral home notified SSA and sent the death certificate. What I don't understand, even after reading on SS web, is the taking back of the deceased benefit. I know that SS is paid a month behind. So, he received his payment (direct deposit) on Oct. 11. He died on Oct. 13. Wasn't that payment for September? So, if they pay it Nov. 8th (second Wednesday of the month for us). that will have to be sent back...right? Will I get my SS payment in November since that would be October's payment and mine will stop for December?????????
 
sparty60 said:
Colleen, my heart goes out to you also, wish I could give you a hug🤗🤗🤗 I want to help you, with a number of things! If you have read any of my posts, I am a very giving person, it is my mission in to help others, you especially, now. I think you have been sent to me to assist in the overwhelming issues,
I have already faced. It is very important that you take small steps on everything. I want you to think about considering exchanging contact information to discuss these small steps.
Texting would allow me to send attachments privately, either by email or text. I have an iPhone and an iPad. I also think that this will be the best way to preserve your privacy.
Think about it, and yes, you are very fragile now.





I like chatting with you, because you are into paranormal. I believe in the spirit side of my deceased wife, I feel her presence in the house, even though she is not physically there. I talk to her, some of the things I’m doing in the house, in her honor, she is happy in spirit.
Have you read much on near death experiences?



Colleen, how close is your family? Do you still have family connections in Michigan? I know the feeling of living alone and yes it does get better slowly.
You will always have this forum for some guidance. It does help to develop a plan for yourself, those are the small steps I was mentioning.
Do you have support from connections locally, where you live?
Click to expand...
I'm clairaudient nowadays. I was also clairvoyant in my teens. Tonight is the best time to speak to your departed loved ones. The veil is at its thinnest asvit us All Hallows Eve.

You should see the Vanilla Scented Candle's flame, it's very active and proves family and friends are here with us.

Glad you enjoy my quirkiness 🙃
 
Colleen, I dont think your SSA will stop for a month, and I was not getting SSA when my husband died. Dont really know-

But an unmarried friend of mine ,getting SSA retirement , had an increase in it when her ex husband died a few years ago. She had no delay in her SSA benefits.

I am glad the funeral director contacted SSA for you.

I recall that I needed at least 10 or maybe even more ,Death Certificates when my husband died.
There were many things that required them. One was for lawyer handling his deceased father's estate, because he was no longer a beneficiary to that. Insurance policy and his retirement account needed raised seal Death Certificates as well. Many other things, too.
His father had a Very unusual will. His sister told me that, even in his death, their father still maintained a lot of control over his adult children. He was a widower for a few years ,when I met him, but left the bulk of his estate to his new wife. :rolleyes:

I found the SSA very easy to call and they took my application over the phone, I believe, when I became eligible for retirement benefits. The closest SSA office is only about 40 miles from me and I bet they have an office in your county and would answer any of your questions.

It is a lot to deal with and have to handle grief at the same time.

One thing that bothered me when my husband died, is the advice a few people gave me, thinking that ,because he was gone,
I had suddenly become completely 'helpless'.
Not true at all!

We sure can find we have all the strength we need , to go on.
And there are certainly many people who give us good advice as well!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top