Emergency Surgery and a Fight for Justice

If you contribute more than $100 to my campaign, I will personally guide you for a full day in my city, Budapest, once my recovery has sufficiently advanced (expected by spring). As a historian who has lived here for thirty years, I have much to share about this beautiful city!

Introduction:

Hello, I'm Robert Nagy, a victim of medical malpractice. During my visit to one of the world's wealthiest countries this past summer, my holiday quickly turned into a nightmare. It was in Vancouver, British Columbia, that I suffered a serious but treatable knee injury. As a result, I had the misfortune to be a patient in their healthcare network: a gravely irresponsible establishment. Due to the doctor's visit, his misdiagnosis, and lack of any treatment, my health and future are now at severe risk.

In addition to the accident, the Canadians were fully informed about my chronic illness, Myasthenia gravis. Despite this knowledge, they failed me at every step, making their neglect potentially irreversible and affecting not just my mobility but my entire body.

Every day, doctors release patients with incorrect diagnoses, with varying consequences. However, in most countries, that's not the end of the story. They take responsibility, as there is a system in place to correct the failures of incompetent physicians and look after the patients' needs. You might assume that this would be the case in Canada – the safe and polite neighbor of the US. However, it's quite the opposite.

Consequently, I find myself in an uphill battle against a Canadian hospital and the inhumane healthcare system. The emergency factor in my case is the immediate need for surgery, estimated to cost $6,000 USD, inclusive of fees and taxes. Any additional funds raised will go toward rehabilitation, rehabilitation equipment, medications, consultations, home care, and other related expenses. Thank you for considering my cause.

About me:

I am a dedicated PhD student holding a full-time position at ELTE University in Budapest, Hungary. My primary field of expertise revolves around film history, with a specific focus on Historical Film. Beyond research, I find great joy in teaching and mentoring aspiring students, fostering their growth and igniting their passion within this exciting field. I was progressing in my career, but this incident has brought everything to a halt.

A Lifelong Battle with Myasthenia Gravis:

Between the ages of 19 and 31, a relentless chronic autoimmune disease cast a shadow of suffering over my life. This long struggle forced me to pause my academic and professional path. My days were clouded by a range of strong symptoms, including an overwhelming burning sensation, extreme tiredness, digestive disturbances, and last but not least, muscle weakness. At the cost of enormous efforts, I was able to return to everyday life. Physical activity has proven to be the most effective treatment for my Myasthenia gravis symptoms, as medications have shown little to no positive impact on me. But now, this medical malpractice threatens to undo years of hard work and struggle.

So, the stakes are incredibly high for me. Extended periods of inactivity not only worsen my symptoms but also accelerate the progression of this unforgiving illness. Living with Myasthenia gravis has also taken a toll on my financial stability, with a monthly income barely reaching $730.

The Day Everything Changed: My Knee Injury in Canada:

My life took an unexpected turn on July 6th when I suffered a knee injury that led me to seek medical help in North Vancouver, British Columbia. I went to Lions Gate Hospital, hoping for immediate and accurate treatment.

Despite experiencing agonizing pain and struggling to walk, the attending doctor treated me as if I had a bruise. He did not find it necessary to order an MRI examination or even an ultrasound. Based on his brief examination, I was diagnosed with a minor knee injury that was predicted to heal within weeks. Astonishingly, no knee braces or blood thinners were prescribed, and no steps were taken to prevent additional, severe health complications post-accident. Such treatment might have been deemed satisfactory in the Middle Ages, maybe. I left the hospital feeling confused and betrayed.

This misdiagnosis turned out to be catastrophic. During the long-haul flight back to Europe, my condition worsened dramatically, marked by escalating pain and significant swelling in my leg. Once back on European soil, an MRI scan exposed the grim reality: a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL rupture), partial damage to the medial collateral ligament, and cartilage impairment.

In a parallel reality with competent doctors and health care system, my knee would have been urgently operated on in Canada, covered by my travel insurance, and I might have been able to get back on my feet in September. However, due to the recent restriction in the movement of my knee, the operation would have to wait for a long period, just for rehabilitation.

Challenging the Canadian Healthcare System: Seeking Justice:

Upon my return from Canada, multiple medical consultations confirmed that my case constitutes medical malpractice. Which means: someone must be responsible, right? I had the best travel insurance; I went to the doctor immediately; I didn't try to hike Mt. Whistler the next day; I did everything as expected.

Seeking accountability, I first turned to Lions Gate Hospital and the Canadian healthcare system, but their responses I received were unhelpful and evasive. I extended my efforts, contacting around 20 law firms in Vancouver, and seeking guidance from ombudsmen.

To my dismay, I encountered a disheartening reality. The Canadian healthcare system is fortified by financial foundation, namely CMPA. “The CMPA is not in the business of settling a case just to make it go away – they are prepared to defend to the end, and have the resources and access to the expertise necessary to do so.” as quoted from a Canadian lawyer.

Consequently, pursuing legal action has become prohibitively expensive, with potential costs ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 USD, far exceeding any potential award from the Court. I was also told that the Courts favors the health care system, with a robust framework in place that discourages patients to sue. To confirm all this, here's a quote from a letter by a Vancouver lawyer I consulted: “Over the years, more than 70% of all medical malpractice lawsuits are dismissed or abandoned before trial. About 80% of the cases that do get to trial are won by the physician defendant.”

Despite my strong desire for justice, I was met with the overwhelming consensus: It would be prudent to be able to fight them in court, but the system made it impossible; the deck is stacked against you.

As a British Columbian guy summarized his experience about their healthcare network: “Imagine if the only source of water we had was a kitchen tap with extremely hot and toxic water. But we couldn't do anything about it because the water supplier would spend three times as much on lawyers as on water purification.”

Call to Action:

As you see, my situation is not isolated – others have faced similar challenges in seeking accountability within this arrogant organization. This campaign is not just a call for financial support; it's also a plea for solidarity against a system that has let us down.

Your support, no matter the size, will play a significant role in both my personal journey to recovery and broader efforts to advocate for change. Please consider sharing this campaign with your network or making a contribution if you can.

Thank you for being a vital part of this transformative journey.