Can a hospital keep you against your will if you have not committed a crime?

[RandomPoster]

Let's say a guy gets into a one car accident. He wakes up in the hospital, views his injuries, and wants to leave the hospital immediately. He doesn't say why, except he wants to kill himself because he does not want to live with his injuries. Can they hold him against his will if he has not committed a crime? This is also assuming he is capable of walking out on his own two feet without assistance and isn't screaming and acting like a lunatic.

 

[Ringel05]

Let's say a guy gets into a one car accident. He wakes up in the hospital, views his injuries, and wants to leave the hospital immediately. He doesn't say why, except he wants to kill himself because he does not want to live with his injuries. Can they hold him against his will if he has not committed a crime? This is also assuming he is capable of walking out on his own two feet without assistance and isn't screaming and acting like a lunatic.

Sure, one can check out AMA (Against Medical Advice) however they will take their time discharging you while waiting for the police to arrive who they will call because the patient threatened to kill him or herself.
The police can detain someone if that person is considered a threat to themselves or the public.

 

[RandomPoster]

Let's say a guy gets into a one car accident. He wakes up in the hospital, views his injuries, and wants to leave the hospital immediately. He doesn't say why, except he wants to kill himself because he does not want to live with his injuries. Can they hold him against his will if he has not committed a crime? This is also assuming he is capable of walking out on his own two feet without assistance and isn't screaming and acting like a lunatic.

Sure, one can check out AMA (Against Medical Advice) however they will take their time discharging you while waiting for the police to arrive who they will call because the patient threatened to kill him or herself.
The police can detain someone if that person is considered a threat to themselves or the public.

What if he has not actually said that and his family and the medical staff simply believe he is based on body language and overall behavior, assuming he isn't acting like a complete maniac and throwing things around or anything like that? What if he has already given them his identification and refuses to be delayed beyond giving an address for the bill?

 

[Ringel05]

Let's say a guy gets into a one car accident. He wakes up in the hospital, views his injuries, and wants to leave the hospital immediately. He doesn't say why, except he wants to kill himself because he does not want to live with his injuries. Can they hold him against his will if he has not committed a crime? This is also assuming he is capable of walking out on his own two feet without assistance and isn't screaming and acting like a lunatic.

Sure, one can check out AMA (Against Medical Advice) however they will take their time discharging you while waiting for the police to arrive who they will call because the patient threatened to kill him or herself.
The police can detain someone if that person is considered a threat to themselves or the public.

What if he has not actually said that and his family and the medical staff simply believe he is based on body language and overall behavior, assuming he isn't acting like a complete maniac and throwing things around or anything like that? What if he has already given them his identification and refuses to be delayed beyond giving an address for the bill?

Again that's called AMA, they will try to talk the patient out of it but they can't detain, he/she can leave any time they want. Now if the medical staff and or family member(s) believe (for whatever reason) the patient may pose a threat to his or herself they can again contact the police who will detain you and take you to a mental health facility in a regular hospital or separate unit where the patient can be held for 72 hours while a mental health assessment is performed.

 

[RandomPoster]

Let's say a guy gets into a one car accident. He wakes up in the hospital, views his injuries, and wants to leave the hospital immediately. He doesn't say why, except he wants to kill himself because he does not want to live with his injuries. Can they hold him against his will if he has not committed a crime? This is also assuming he is capable of walking out on his own two feet without assistance and isn't screaming and acting like a lunatic.

Sure, one can check out AMA (Against Medical Advice) however they will take their time discharging you while waiting for the police to arrive who they will call because the patient threatened to kill him or herself.
The police can detain someone if that person is considered a threat to themselves or the public.

What if he has not actually said that and his family and the medical staff simply believe he is based on body language and overall behavior, assuming he isn't acting like a complete maniac and throwing things around or anything like that? What if he has already given them his identification and refuses to be delayed beyond giving an address for the bill?

Again that's called AMA, they will try to talk the patient out of it but they can't detain, he/she can leave any time they want. Now if the medical staff and or family member(s) believe (for whatever reason) the patient may pose a threat to his or herself they can again contact the police who will detain you and take you to a mental health facility in a regular hospital or separate unit where the patient can be held for 72 hours while a mental health assessment is performed.

So, it would best to act as composed as possible to avoid giving them justification to detain you.

 

[Ringel05]

Let's say a guy gets into a one car accident. He wakes up in the hospital, views his injuries, and wants to leave the hospital immediately. He doesn't say why, except he wants to kill himself because he does not want to live with his injuries. Can they hold him against his will if he has not committed a crime? This is also assuming he is capable of walking out on his own two feet without assistance and isn't screaming and acting like a lunatic.

Sure, one can check out AMA (Against Medical Advice) however they will take their time discharging you while waiting for the police to arrive who they will call because the patient threatened to kill him or herself.
The police can detain someone if that person is considered a threat to themselves or the public.

What if he has not actually said that and his family and the medical staff simply believe he is based on body language and overall behavior, assuming he isn't acting like a complete maniac and throwing things around or anything like that? What if he has already given them his identification and refuses to be delayed beyond giving an address for the bill?

Again that's called AMA, they will try to talk the patient out of it but they can't detain, he/she can leave any time they want. Now if the medical staff and or family member(s) believe (for whatever reason) the patient may pose a threat to his or herself they can again contact the police who will detain you and take you to a mental health facility in a regular hospital or separate unit where the patient can be held for 72 hours while a mental health assessment is performed.

So, it would best to act as composed as possible to avoid giving them justification to detain you.

Possibly.

That said local and state laws may differ slightly so not being an attorney I can only tell you what I know and this in no way constitutes legal advice.