by TJ Curioso 17 Replies latest watchtower medical
The doctor tried to help her but she had restricted the treatments available and died as a consequence. He was not to blame if he had rejected her she would have tried somewhere else and the outcome may have been the same.
My mum had a similar operation without blood and was extremely anaemic after 8 hours on the operating table. This is not a simple procedure for the staff involved. If witnesses accept the risks prior to the operation then they cannot complain afterwards.
It is premature to say the family charged the doctor with negligence. There is nothing in the article to suggest that.
It is premature to say the family charged the doctor with negligence. There is nothing in the article to suggest that.
Earnest, you may want to read the article again...
Quote from the article: " The prosecution argued that the accused committed negligence leading to death because he decided to operate on the deceased...".
Sounds like the family must have brought suit despite the patient's wishes. The patient was 62 and competent to choose.
The patient said complying with the Jehovah’s Witness doctrine was more important than her life, and wrote a statement that read, “While treating, the doctors may feel that a blood transfusion is necessary, but I firmly do not want a blood transfusion and this belief won’t change even if this patient lapse into unconsciousness.”
She added that she would not seek any civil or criminal action against the doctors and the hospital if damages occur, according to the ruling. Before the operation, the doctors repeatedly checked her statement.
The Doctor needed to have a bullet proof lawyered-up
document for then ALL to sign, before he proceded.
The family should be suing the Watchtower Society.
Many have, over the same issue and won.
I wonder if the lawyer who filed the complaint should not be sanctioned. The doctor and hospital had to draw up an extraordinary informed consent. Certainly, precisely because the stakes were so high, the patient had to be made aware of the risks in detail. Suing the doctor only makes it harder for future JWs to find physicians under these circumstances. There is a price even for dismissed lawsuits. Court time was wasted
Wow, very interesting story. I think, the hospital will use this experience as a teaching reason to draw up a strong disclaimer document with the blessing from attorneys.
Scott77
...or surgeons should simply refuse to operate on patients who refuse part of a treatment regimen that the surgeons consider safe practice. Three had already done so...without being prosecuted. There is absolutely no merit in surgeons going out of their way to accommodate patients' pick and choosing approach to treatment UNLESS surgeons consider aspects of a treatment package dispensable.
