Deposing persons w/mental illness & are medicated during deposition

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caregiver65

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Hello Readers -

I am a caregiver for an individual that recently was deposed. The patient was deposed about two hours. Patient seen attorney once (initial consultation) prior too being deposed. Received letter of deposition date, and was advised too show up an hour prior too being deposed. Was briefed with difficulty for approx 40 - 50 minutes.
Attorney for my patient that i am caregiver for knew patient was on narcotic medication (several) as well as antidepressants during deposition and has been on a half year treatment for liver disease (interferon/ribavarnin-side effects for these drugs also is very nasty- also promoting mental disturbances along with other side effects) The patient has never done a deposition before. Has memory, and narcotic medication, as well as underlying medical issues and mental issues.
Can a person be deposed that has mental issues and is on several heavy narcotic medications and also a form of chemo for a underlying disease? How can this be a fair thing too do when the person cant appropriately respond the way you or I perhaps would? I didnt think that was right nor fair.
Secondly, I am a wittness as too what occured - dr blurted out private serious disease patient has in lobby doorway area and patients were in the lobby (2 chairs within arms reach of dr when blurted out) and in the hallway coming out of the examine rooms and also could hear what was said. Being the patient was seeing this dr for about 3 years patient had come too know some of the patients their, and one of them was someone that lives in the patients area and interacts with neighbors where patient lives, and now neighboring neighbors know of a disease patient didnt want knowing.
Something just doesnt seem right here, and i dont see how someone with this sort of background can be deposed. Again the way the patient explains things is NOT the way you or i would describe things.
Patient left dr office after being insulted for two hours because he couldnt recall things dr wanted him too recall. Patients that came in at same time and way after patient had been seen, and long gone, my patient could be heard begging the dr too understand and was clearly frusterated and dr refused too speak too caregiver.

I do not know what all happened while patient was deposed, but i do know i heard patient yelling a few times from the room patient was deposed in - patient doesnt know how too compose anger, frustration, and can not explain matters and has dementia. In closure too this mess - patient comes from a very unhappy background - and did serve time in prison for a non violent crime.
Am i helping patient too cover all basis for fairness and understanding of condition/s and receiving good legal advise from attorney? Patients attorney was very angry because patient couldnt explain what occured in an exact matter, mind wanders and cant stay on task - not patients fault. I am due too be deposed in a few weeks in regard too what happened that day i guess.

Patient has been seen by a Licensed psychologist/certified Addictions Counselor,and is nationally certified. board certified in trauma, certified brain injury specialist. Patient suffers from the below diagnosis/s:

Impressions: not capable of handling own financial matters due too polymorbid problems of dementia and strong psychiatric overlay. not able too work. This is seen as ongoing and indefinite. Diagnosis: Dementia from multiple sources: TBI/concussions, seizure, remote history of polysubstance dependence. Major depressive disorder, severe with psychotic features and suicide ideations, intermittent explosive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, personality changes secondary to general medical conditions, disinhibited aggressive type. Personality disorder NOS with features of depression and antisocial character traits, learning disorder NOS with history of special education. Current physical concerns:liver disease, chronic back and head pain, endocarditis, circulation problems, vision problems, rule out other. Psychosocial and environmental stressors: disability adjustment problems, financial problems, independence problems, non intensive treatment, relationship and support group problems.Prognosis: Poor.

Note: patient was currently being treated with a form of chemo for the liver and also was showing bad side effects w/the narcotic medication patient was taking and on at time of deposition then as well as having all the above medically impaired.

should i go too that deposition, was the patient deposed fairly? what do i do? I want too be sure, for the patient, that legally and medically, everything is right!
I am sorry for the specific details of this post, but i felt the above was of utmost importance. Thank you in advance for your time.
I hope too hear from someone.
Regards,
Caregiver65
 
I don't know what your interest is in this case. Yes, a person with illnesses can be deposed and if the person is not of sound mind then that person's attorney could/should make some type of objection as to the use and admissibility of the deposition. Not having experience with a deposition is not an excuse not to be subject to being deposed nor is getting nervous answering questions for a lawsuit. If you think you have important evidence you may want to contact the lawyer for one of the parties.
 
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