You may be the victim of a lawyer's trickery, Antryg. The Statute of Limitations on medical malpractice is 3 or 3 1/2 years in most jurisdictions, while the Statute of Limitations on a contracts claim is 6.
The time for you to sue them has passed, but the time for them to sue to collect on the contract has not.
Let's assume you have state ALL the facts and everything you say is TRUE.
Write them a letter. Refuse to pay on the basis that the goods were obviously defective, as evidenced by the injury you suffered and their reaction, that they have waived their rights to pursue the bill by their behavior, and that any attempt on their part to seek remedy will be due to a fraudulent misrepresentation of the facts. Offer to agree to an "accord and satisfaction" (important words to use) whereby you offer to NOT sue them for the injury, pain, and suffering you incurred IN EXCHANGE for their agreement that the bill is fully satisfied.
Tell them that if they fail to respond in 30 days, you will assume they have accepted your offer of "accord and satisfaction" and you will consider the issue finalized. Let them know that if they report you to any consumer credit services, you will (1) call the Better Business Bureau, (2) report the doctor/institution to the controlling state agency, (3) file lawsuit based on their fraudulent defamation, and (4) seek to file suit based on your original injury, considering any legal limitations (as mentioned above).
Oh, and never forget to be nice and cordial while screwing someone.
Oh, and lest I forget - The creative legal counselor will tell you that your loved ones can seek "loss of consortium" and "negligent infliction of emotional distress" claims due to the emotional damage they suffered when they (technically) *killed* you.
[ 03-24-2003, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]