To send medical bill to the bar where I was injured?

[Mar124]

Unfortunately somebody threw a glass in a crowded pub at the weekend, and my friend and I were wrong place wrong time! It hit us both, but it went in my eye. Got most out, was brought to A&E by staff (they were so helpful). The wait was very long, so I checked out at urgent care instead. Anyway, long story short I’ve now to be referred to an ophthalmologist. They said they saw nothing in eye and was probably just scratched/inflamed and gave me drops.

I’m having pain today after work. Last night, no orange dye was put in my eye when using the lamp and that’s needed to check for corneal abrasion. So I asked about it and they referred me on. The bouncer on the night, told me to send all medical bills and the pub will cover them. The manager gave us their number and have been in text contact checking if my friend and I are okay. But no mention of the bill. AIBU to mention that I was told it was covered? I feel awkward being like here is my bill, but it was offered to me on the night!

The bar are not at fault. You need the police and cctv to find out who threw the glass and sue THEM

What bill? Surely the NHS is free???

I take it you're outside the UK, if you have medical bills to pay?

Maybe they’re not in the UK

What bill if your in the UK we have the NHS it's your choice to go private.

@Soontobe60 What? I’m in Ireland. My medical bill? It’s not free I don’t have a medical card.

What bill? Did you opt to go privately?Surely you could self refer to ophthalmology via A and E or if seen previously with further symptoms,

Are you in the UK? I wouldn't take a bouncers word that the bar will pay, I'm not sure why they would? Are the police involved?

@ILikeItWhatIsIt Yes I’m in Ireland. They’re not huge bills, but they said they’d cover. That’s why I’m saying it. But I don’t know if I should say it again when it was just mentioned to me verbally if that makes sense!

I, and others, assumed you were in England. Out of curiosity, bow much did your visit to hospital cost? Also, what’s a medical card?

Cross post. Have you spoken to the bar owner?

@Soontobe60 180 for out of hours. 100 initial A&E charge, and whatever the ophthalmologist costs. A medical card is provided for certain medical conditions, or if you’re under a certain income threshold. I’m curious how it works in England now?

@NerrSnerr What cross post?? I only posted here

In the UK it's all paid by the NHS. All a&e and urgent care would be free at the point of access (paid via tax)

I mean I cross posted with you when I asked if you were in the UK you were posting at the same time saying you were in Ireland.

In England it’s just free. No bills, no medical cards.

I’d send the bar the bills. They presumably didn’t want the bar shut down while the police came out and investigated, and if it was a busy bar they will have made much more than €280 on a Saturday night.

I'm also in Ireland I would send them your bills, they offered, they're just glad you're not sueing them.

@NerrSnerr Oh really? I wish we had that here!! GP visit is 60 euro; is that free there too? Also no worries about the cross post - sorry took you up wrong!!

@Happierwithouthim just one person offered so I don’t know how to contact with that it feels awkward! But they did say it! Of course I’m not looking to sue or anything would just love the bill covered

Absolutely send it. Just pop in and say I was told to bring my bill here for reimbursement. Is there a particular person I should leave it with?

My sister lives in Ireland. Healthcare is not free. It's the only thing she misses about the UK.

Healthcare may not be free in Ireland, but at least I can get a same day doctor's appointment which can cover as many things as I need to talk about, for as long as I need to talk about them (within reason). I also don't have to get past a gate keeper receptionist who asks me why exactly I need a doctor.

@Hermanfromguesswho I was going to just email it over as it’s all digital anyway. Well the prescription isn’t but I won’t look for that as it was just 20 euro!

It’s not unreasonable to present the bill, especially as that was the direction given

For additional reference, had it been in the UK then NHS services are provided free at the point of service (including GP, A&E etc)
(For non residents there ought to be charges raised and pursued for NHS treatment of those not eligible - however this is not always pursued)

Even where eligible for free NHS services a bill can be raised if there is a potential liability. The person receiving emergency treatment would not be expected to pay but to hand it to their solicitors/insurers etc as part of a claim. Eg If applicable for an ambulance call out and visit to A&E - this happened to a friend after being attacked and hit in the head with the sink in a club toilet

I would be cautious as payment could open them appearing to taking responsibility.

Give a ring and get in touch with the owner to ask what their process is. They probably will want you to sign something saying it is agreed payment is not admission of responsibility. The bouncers tend to be hired in from security firm so would have minimum say in the pubs policies.

And @Saschka the Garda are not going to close a bar to investigate a glass been thrown! A body yes but not injuries.