The brother in law of a farang friend having been admitted to a Thai private hospital in a bad way, was reported dead after a few hours. The family commenced all the usual funeral preparations, erection of tents, food and drink purchase and preparation, notifying relatives and friends etc, only to be told a few hours later that he was not dead.

The patient is now recovering well, although a hefty bill is being run up.

Clearly the hospital were negligent in reporting his death. Does anyone have any knowledge of compensation, court cases etc in such cases, which I am sure have occurred before.

Compensation?

I would have thought the family would be celebrating after finding out he was still alive.

As we say in my home town...FUGGEDABOUTIT.

It is difficult enough to get compensation in Thailand when a patient has suffered serious injury or death due to malpractice. Not a chance in hel_l in a case where the patient is perfectly OK. The western "emotional suffering" concept and generally lawsuit-happy culture hasn't caught on here yet.

If the family is actually out any money, they might try a private meeting with the hospiotal management to request compensation of the actual financial loss.

As for the emotional roller coaster, I'd suggest taking it as a blessing in disguise, a chance to realize what really matters in life ad how much they really care about the non-deceased, while he's still around for them to tekll him.

I would have thought the family would be celebrating after finding out he was still alive.

Well, if really a problem, nothing that a bit of Arsenic cannot solve