Charges in dispute, should we still pay bill on time?

[97exc]

My girlfriend went in for a surgery, but while under anesthesia she had an adverse reaction resulting in a very scary moment (stopped breathing) and had to go the ICU. There is speculation that the anesthesiologist is at fault or that the hospital did not do a thorough pre-op examination (she has had numerous uneventful surgeries, two within the last few years). We are being billed for the ICU stay, even though this was an unexpected event. We have contacted the anesthesiologist and he is being very cooperative (possibly to avoid retribution???) and says he is writing to the billing dept in an effort to drop the additional ICU charge. In the meantime, should we pay the bill? Or do we wait for the final resolution of the matter? We are concerned that if we do pay, it is in essence saying that we accept the charges. However, if we don't pay, then the late fees accrue. Thanks for any help and guidance.