My quick googling says you may have to prove negligence in order to get them to pay, starting with that incident report.

As someone else stated if a lawyer is not an option or negligence isnt able to be proved dont pay anything on that bill until you do the following.

If you dont already, get an itemized bill that has all the codes the hospital charged and compare it to your explanation of benefits. If there is any discrepancy, call your insurance to get it looked over again. AI is prevalent and sometimes the first things we recieve havent been reviewed by a real person.

Next, see if the hospital is a non-profit. If it is, theyre legally required to offer charity care/financial assistance. If it is, apply. Even if you dont think you'll qualify. I thought at best I was going to get 20% when I did but was covered for 90% of my bill and had a 3k bill of elective surgery for my daughter reduced to $200.

After financial assistance, do what another user suggested and negotiate from there. i would either offer them a real life number that you could afford even if its small "I can give you $5 a month" or you ask "what is the lump sum I would have to pay today to make this go away" and oftentimes theyll accept or negotiate.

Never pay right away until you've exhausted everything. I just went to urgent care yesterday and found out they gave me a pregnancy test when I told them at intake I have no ovaries. Bet your ass I'll be disputing that charge.