Extortion in the emergency department

We present the case of a 33-yr-old female patient who, along with members of her family, attempted to extort approximately $6000.00 from our institution and her insurance company. This attempted extortion was done under the guise of a missed retained foreign body. The patient initially presented to our emergency department with a laceration to her right forearm; X-ray studies obtained after the wound had been sutured revealed no foreign body. Several days later, the patient and family members approached our administrative staff demanding recompense for metal fragments discovered in the patient's wound at another facility. Comparison of radiographs revealed that the metallic fragments were placed in the wound after she was treated and released from our emergency department, and monetary compensation was denied.