Snakebite victim who sucked up hospital’s entire supply of anti-venom hit with staggering medical bill
A snakebite victim has been left rattled by a ssss-shocking medical bill.
Chris Howarth was slapped with a $1.3 million bill after he was bitten twice by a rattlesnake — which proved to be complicated to treat — forcing medical staff to administer 54 rounds of anti-venom.
Howarth was visiting family in Oroville, California from Idaho when he accidentally stepped on the snake outside on a rainy day, at first confusing the fangs for thorns in his mother’s garden.
Chris Howarth was slapped with a $1.3 million bill after he was bitten twice by a rattlesnake forcing medical staff to administer 54 rounds of anti-venom.Jam Press/Jenny Howarth
He quickly developed shortness of breath, a numb tongue, and lymph node swelling as his wife jumped into action.
His wife, Jenny, rushed him to an Oroville hospital, where he would need 36 vials of antivenom before the hospital ran out. Staff then transferred Chris to Stanford Hospital via helicopter, where he would need an additional 18 vials to quell the sickness.
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The vials of antivenom, on top of transfusions, CT scans, blood work, and other things, led to the monstrous bill, Jenny said in a GoFundMe. The fundraiser is asking for $12,000 to alleviate the family’s financial concerns, and it has already raised $10,000 so far.
Howarth was visiting family in Oroville, California from Idaho when he accidentally stepped on the snake.Jam Press/Jenny Howarth
Jenny says insurance will cover some of the bill, and the $1.3 million is before insurance coverage.
They stressed about the bill even as Chris received treatment, with the man bemoaning the $13,000 vials of antivenom. Each night at the Stanford hospital cost $61,000, Jenny said.
Jenny said her husband is still recovering from the bite and is about “80%” right now.
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His wife rushed him to a hospital, where he would need 36 vials of anti-venom before the hospital ran out.Luis – stock.adobe.com
“He still has some soreness and swelling in his leg, which gets worse with more activity,” she told Need to Know.
“The worst part for him has been the lingering fatigue. He gets exhausted pretty easily,” she added.
Chris initially felt okay after the snake bit him for the first two days before he took a turn for the worse and needed the additional antivenom.
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He quickly developed shortness of breath, a numb tongue, and lymph node swelling.Jam Press/Jenny Howarth
The family’s scariest moment came when Chris went into DIC, or Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation, when the body’s clotting system goes into overdrive and begins forming small clots throughout the bloodstream.
“The whole incident was pretty scary for our family while he was in the hospital and his condition was so up and down. We all got scared one night when he went into DIC. That’s when things got scary,” she said.
“We are so glad to have him home and on the up and up. We’ve definitely learned not to take our time together as a family for granted. You never know when it can be your last day,” she added.
Chris hasn’t been able to work since May 26 and used up his paid time off and sick leave, Jenny noted.
The family hasn’t received a paycheck from his employer in nearly 2 months.
“Just knowing we have big medical bills coming and he hasn’t received a paycheck in over seven weeks has us stressed about the future,” Jenny said.
She expressed appreciation to anyone who has given money to help them.
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“We are so grateful for those who have donated,” she said.
You can donate here.
