Thaddeus Mason Pope

Medical Futility & Non-Beneficial Treatment Cases

This page collects, in reverse chronological order, key cases pertaining to medical futility and non-beneficial ICU treatment. Most of these cases are from courts but some are from administrative agencies and other tribunals.

The legality of healthcare providers stopping life-sustaining treatment without consent remains uncertain. Consequently, I expect to continue posting cases here, discussing them on my blog, and analyzing them in medical and law journal articles. Futility cases concerning the determination of death by neurological criteria are separately collected on the "Brain Death" and "Jahi McMath" pages.

Since 2007, I have been posting court documents from medical futility cases. I am happy to disseminate these materials for free. But while filngs in state and federal court are in the public domain, PACER and state court website services do charge retrieval fees. And the significant number of user downloads on this site requires server bandwidth. If you find this website useful, please consider donating $1, $5, or $10. It’s is a small amount to inform bioethics policy. It’s money well spent.

2017 Medical Futility Cases

Gard v. Great Ormond Street Hospital (UK SCT June 19, 2017)

Gard v. UK (ECHR June 2017) (3d interim measure)

Gard v. UK (ECHR June 2017) (2d interim measure)

Gard v. UK (ECHR June 2017) (interim measure)

Gard v. Great Ormond Street Hospital (UK SCT June 8, 2017)

In re Rivernberg (Montgomery Cty, Tenn. May 2017)

Gard v. Great Ormond Street Hospital (UK App May 2017)

Great Ormond Street Hospital v. Yates & Gard (UK High Ct April 11, 2017) (full judgment)

NHS v. Charlie Gard (April 11, 2017) (short reasons)

M.M. v. R.P. (Ont HPARB Mar. 2017)

K.D. v. B.C. (Ont HPARB Mar. 2017)

Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille (Le Conseil d'État March 8, 2017)

DF v C.V.W. (ONT HPARB Mar 2017)

NHS Trust v. MC FC C (UK Fam Feb 2017)

A.P. v. G.E.N. (Ont. HPARB Feb. 2017)

Deuell v. Texas Right to Life Committee (Tex 2017) (petition for review)

Wilson v. University of Alabama (Jefferson County, Feb. 2017) (complaint)

Great Ormond v NO & KK (UK Fam Feb. 2017)

2016 Medical Futility Cases

Norton v Scotland Memorial Hospital (NC App 2016)

Kelly v. Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty, Tex Oct. 24, 2016) AG amicus

Kelly v. Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty, Tex Oct. 21, 2016) DEF Opp summary judgment

Kelly v. Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty, Tex Oct. 2016) PTF Motion Summary Judgment

EW v, MGC (Ontario HPARB Oct. 3, 2016)

Texas Right to Life Committee v. Deuell (Tex App 2016)

Kelly v. Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty, Tex Aug 2016) Moore Affidavit

Kelly v. Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty, Tex Aug 2016) Cheney Affidavit

Kelly v. Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty, Tex Aug 30, 2016) motion to dismiss

In re PN (Ontario CCB July 25, 2016)

In re SL (Ont CCB May 2016)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Conn App June 2016)

In re A (UK App July 13, 2016)

Lee Memorial Health System v Doe (Lee Cty, Fla. May 2016)

Kathy L. Siner v. Kindred Hospital of Indianapolis (Ind. April 28, 2016)

In re O (UK COP April 25, 2016)

Durham & Darlington v SS (UK Fam March 2016)

Kelly v. Methodist Hospital Houston (Harris Cty, Tex. Feb 2016) (amended petition)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Conn App Jan. 2016) (family reply brief)

2015 Medical Futility Cases

Agoucha-Ohakweh v. Baylor College Medicine (Harris Cty, Tex. 2015) (Complaint)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Conn App Dec 2015) (hospital brief appendix)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Conn App Dec 2015) (hospital brief)

Dunn v. Methodist Hospital (Harris County, Tex., Dec. 2015) (Order of Abatement)

Dunn v. Methodist Hospital (Harris County, Tex., Dec. 2015) (Answer, Plea Abatement)

Dunn v. Methodist Hospital (Harris County, Tex., Dec. 2015) (Uppalapati affidavit)

Dunn v. Methodist Hospital (Harris County, Tex., Dec. 2015) (AG letter)

Dunn v. Methodist Hospital (Harris County, Tex., Nov. 2015) (TRO granted)

Dunn v. Methodist Hospital (Harris County, Tex., Nov. 2015) (complaint)

NHS Trust v. W & W (EWHC Oct. 2015)

Central Manchester Univ. Hospital NHS v. A (EWHC Oct. 2015)

Bolton NHS Trust v. Chloe (EWHC Oct. 2015)

Winspear v. Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (EWHC 2015)

In re Jake (EWHC Aug. 2015)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Appendix 2 to PTF brief)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Appendix 1 to PTF brief)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (PTF appellate brief, Oct. 2015)

Hunt v. Delaware DFS (Del. 2015)

Siner v. Kindred Hospital (Ind App 2015) (Reply Brief)

Siner v. Kindred Hospital (Ind App 2015) (Opp Brief Hosp)

Siner v. Kindred Hospital (Ind App 2015) (Opp Brief MD)

Siner v. Kindred Hospital (Ind App 2015) (Appellant Brief)

Siner v. Kindred Hospital Indianapolis (Ind App 2015) (reversing summary judgment for hospitalO

Pierce v. Fraser Valley (B.C. Supreme Ct. Aug 2015) (petition for TRO)

Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v MH (UK Fam June 2015)

St. Georges Healthcare NHS Trust v P&Q (UK COP June 2015)

Wawrzyniak v. Chapman & Livingstone (Ontario College of Physicians & Surgeons 2015)

King v. Summa Health (Summit Cty. Ohio Mar. 20, 2015) (Complaint)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Milford Sup. Ct., Conn. Mar. 2015) (ruling on partial summary judgment)

Salasel v. Cuthbertson (ONCA Feb. 2015)

2014 Medical Futility Cases

University of Montreal Hospital v WL (QCCS 2014)

Goldberg v. Nimoityn (ED Pa 2014) (order on motion strike)

Goldberg v. Nimoityn (ED Pa 2014) (complaint)

Chalifoux v Alberta Health Services (Court of Queens Bench of Alberta Nov. 2014)

Dunn v. Thomas (M.D. Ala. 2014) (Complaint)

Chan v White (Nova Scotia SC 2014)

EGJW v MGC (Ontario HPARB 2014)

In re A.P. [Aleah Peaslee] (Me. 2014) (motion to dismiss appeal)

In re A.P. [Aleah Peaslee] (Me. 2014) (amicus brief)

In re A.P. [Aleah Peaslee] (Me. 2014) (state brief)

In re A.P. [Aleah Peaslee] (Me. 2014) (mother brief)

Tracey v. Cambridge Univ. Hosp. (UK App. June 17, 2014)

Health & Social Care Trust v. M & A & L (High Court Northern Ireland, April 2014)

Tracey v. Cambridge Univ. Hosp. (UK App. Jan. 24, 2014)

Ackie v. Manocha (ONSC Jan. 2014)

In re AB (UK Fam 2014)

2013 Medical Futility Cases

Kimball Medical (NJ CMS Inspection 2013)

Marsala v. Yale New Haven Hospital (Conn. Super. Oct. 30, 2013)

Aintree University Hospitals v James (UKSC Oct. 30, 2013)

Cuthbertson v Rasouli (SCC Oct. 2013)

In re CA (Ont CCB Oct. 2013)

In re JN (Ont CCB 2013)

USA v. Fata (E.D. Mich. Aug. 2013) (Complaint)

In re G (Ont CCB July 2013)

In re Cobb (Pa. Super. July 2013)

In re JSR [Rodrigues v. Sunnybrook] (Ont. CCB 07-03-13)

E.G.J. v. K.A.W. (Ont. HPARB June 2013)

In re Cobb (Pa. Super. July 2013)

In re AC [Cefarelli v. Hamilton Health] (Ont. CCB 06-25-13)

Cefarelli v. Hamilton Health Sciences (Ont. Ct. App. June 2013)

Cefarelli v. Hamilton Health (Ont. Sup. Ct. May 2013)

Turner v. Dominican Hosp. (Disability Rts. Cal. 2013)

Afshar v. Kaiser Fdn. Health Plan (LA Sup. Ct. 2013) (Complaint)

In re Border (Pa. Comm. 2013) (hospital win)

Tyler v. Lindyberg & Genesis (Baltimore, Md. Cir Ct. Mar. 5, 2013) (Complaint)

Aintree Hosp. v. James EWCA (Mar. 1, 2013) (hospital win)

In re R (UK Fam 2013)

2012 Medical Futility Cases

In re Cobb (Lehigh Cty., Pa. Ct. Common Pl. Dec. 2012)

TS & DS v Sydney Children's Hospital Network (" Mohammed 's case") [2012] NSWSC 1609

Froedtert Hospital (Wisconsin) - Inspection Report 2012 (hospital sanctioned)

Botsford Hosp. (Michigan) - Inspection Report 2012 (hospital sanctioned)

Newsome v. Gunnels (Ala. Cir. Ct. 2012) (Order Granting Sum Jmt to doc)

Newsome v. Gunnels (Ala. 2012) (Appellant Brief)

Tracey v. Cambridge University Hospital, [2012] EWHC

Jacobs v. CORE (W.D. Pa. Nov. 2012) (settlement)

Jacobs v. CORE (W.D. Pa. Aug. 2012) (Plaintiff's trial brief)

Jacobs v. CORE (W.D. Pa.) (Complaint)

Director, Alberta CYFEA v. D.L. (ABCA Sept. 19, 2012) ("Baby M") (hospital win)

Director, Alberta CYFEA v. D.L. (ABQB Sept. 14, 2012) ("Baby M").

In re FF (Ont CCB June 14, 2012)

In re GS (Ont CCB June 29, 2012)

NHS Trust v. Baby X [2012] EWHC 2188 (Fam)

Oglesby v. USA (D.D.C. 2012)

E.J.W. v. M.G.C. (ON HPARB Jan. 2012)

Rasouli v. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Ctr (2011-2012)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. July 24, 2012) (Factum of Intervenor Evangelical Fellowship of Canada)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. July 24, 2012) (Factum of Intervenor Mental Health Legal Committee)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. July 24, 2012) (Factum of Intervenor Advocacy Centre for the Elderly)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. July 24, 2012) (Factum of Intervenor Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. July 24, 2012) (Factum of Intervenor Euthanasia Prevention Coalition)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. July 10, 2012) (Respondent Factum)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. Mar. 15, 2012) (Cuthbertson Affifavit)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. Feb. 8, 2012) (Factum of Appellants)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (S.C.C. Dec. 23, 2011) (granting leave to appeal)

Cuthbertson v. Rasouli (SCC Aug. 2, 2011) (Application for Leave to Appeal)

Rasouli v. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Ont. App. June 29, 2011)

Rasouli v. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Ont. Sup. Ct. 2011)

Rasouli - Plaintiff/Surrogate/Respondent appellate brief

Rasouli - Intervenor EPC appellate brief

Rasouli - Physicians/Appellants Appellate Brief

Rasouli - Physician/Appellant reply to Intervenor brief

2011 Medical Futility Cases

Dishmon v. Fucci (Del. 2011)

Hawkins v. DeKalb Med. Ctr. (Ga. App. 2011)

In re A.K. (Ont. C.C.B. Dec. 6, 2011)

In re S.R. (Ont. CCB Nov. 18, 2011)

In re MD (Ont CCB July 28, 2011) (surrogate win)

In re BS (Ont. CCB April 28, 2011)

Application of Justice Health re a Patient (NSW Sup. Ct. 2011)

Pena v. Meeker (9th Cir. Apr. 15, 2011) (Reply Brief)

Pena v. Meeker (9th Cir. Apr. 15, 2011) (Appellee Brief)

Pena v. Meeker (9th Cir. Apr. 15, 2011) (Appellant Brief)

Pena v. Meeker (9th Cir. Apr. 15, 2011) (N.D. Cal. trial brief)

In re DW (Ont. CCB Mar. 22, 2011)

In re JM (Ont. CCB Jan. 31 , 2011) (Joseph Maraachli)

In re SS (Ont. CCB Jan. 18, 2011) (surrogate wins)

In re Guardianship of Albert Barnes (Hennepin Cty, Minn. Probate Ct., Feb. 4, 2011)

2010 Medical Futility Cases

Smith v Albert Einstein (3d Cir 2010)

Wheelock v. Doers (Tenn. App. 2010)

Slaveski v. Austin Health (Victoria SC, Oct. 2010)

Wawrzyniak v. Livingstone et al (Ontario Sup. Ct. Aug. 30, 2010) (complaint)

May v. Alberta Health Services, 2010 ABQB 213 (2010)

Kisner v. WVU Hospital (Monongalia Cty, WV 2010) (complaint & order)

Nelson Francois v. Star One Staffing, 2007-3515-CA-01 (Miami-Dade County, Fla.) (amended complaint)

In re Zukovs (Conn. Super. 2010)

In re DP (Ont. CCB 2010) (surrogate wins)

Barbulov v. Huston (Ont. Sup. Ct. 2010)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (2009-2010)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital, 1 A.3d 823 (N.J.Super.A.D. 2010)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (N.J. Super. A.D. Aug. 13, 2010) (as released by court)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (N.J. Union County Super. Ct.) (Mar. 2009)

Betancourt v. Trinitas (Trial transcript, Jan.-Feb. 2009)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (Defendant/Appellant Trinitas Opening Brief) (May 2009)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (GNYHA amicus brief) (July 2009)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (NJHA, CHPNJ, MSNJ amicus brief) (Aug. 2009)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (defendant/appellant Trinitas suppl. brief on mootness) (Aug. 2009)

** Betancourt v. Trinitas Hosp. (Prof. Pope amicus brief) (Sept. 2009)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (Trinitas Reply Brief) (Sept. 2009)

Betancourt v. Trinitas Hospital (Not Dead Yet amicus brief) (Oct. 2009)

2009 Medical Futility Cases

Smith v Albert Einstein (ED Pa 2009)

Sweiss v. Alberta Health Servives (ABQB 2009)

In re Woo (QLD Coroner 2009)

Bernstein v. Superior Court (Cal. App. Feb. 2009)

Davis v. Hermann Mem. Hosp. (Harris Cty. Tex., Feb 2009)

In re RB [2009] EWHC 3269 (Fam)

Palmer v. East Tenn. Childrens (Tenn. 2009) (complaint)

Barbulov v. Cirone (Ont. Sup. Ct. 2009)

In re Grover (Ont. CCB 2009)

In re Grover (Ont. Sup. Ct. 2009)

In re N (Ont. CCB 2009)

In re E (Ont. CCB 2009)

Yarick v. Pacificare Calif. (Cal. App. 2009)

2008 Medical Futility Cases

Preston v Meriter (Wis App 2008)

Ussery v. Children's Healthcare (Ga App 2008)

PC v. K (Alaska 2008)

Cardoza v. USC Hospital (Cal. App. 2008)

Golubchuk v. Salvation Army Grace Hospital (MBQB 2008)

In re Motl Brody (D.D.C. 2008) (removal & state complaint)

Strong Memorial Hosp. v Livadas (Monroe Cty, NY 2008)

Chamberlain v. Kamali (Alaska 2008)

In re Paulo Melo (N. Territory, Australia Coroner Ct. 2008)

2007 Medical Futility Cases

JN v. Superior Court (Cal App 2007)

Gonzales v. Seton Hospitals (W.D. Tex. 2007)

Gamble v. Perra (Tenn. App. 2007)

In re Tabatha R (Neb. 1997)

In re SAJ, [2007] QGAAT 62 (11 Sept. 2007)

2006 Medical Futility Cases

Baylor Press Release on Tirhas Habtegiris Case (2006)

In re Matthew W (Me. 2006)

Gray v Woodville Health (Tex App 2006)

In re Smith (Or App 2006)

Roberson Reese v. Memorial Hermann (S.D. Tex. 2006) (dismissal)

2005 Medical Futility Cases

Preston v Meriter (Wis 2005)

In re Ann Clair David (GMC Fitness to Practice 2005)

Burke v. General Medical Council [2005] EWCA

Hudson v. Texas Childrens (Tex. App. 2005)

In re Spiro Nikolouzas (Tex. App. 2005)

Valentin v. St. Francis Hosp. (Conn. 2005)

2004 Medical Futility Cases

In re Howe (Mass Prob. 2004)

2003 Medical Futility Cases

O'Connell v. Urciuoli (Conn. Super 2013) (jury verdict)

2002 Medical Futility Cases

Ramsey v. Coatney (Iowa App. 1992)

2001 Medical Futility Cases

Knight v. Beverly Health (Ala. 2001)

King v. Crowell Mem. Home (Neb. 2001)

Stover v. Garfield (Mich. App. 2001)

2000 Medical Futility Cases

O'Connell v. Bridgepoirt Hosp. (Conn. 2000)

1998 Medical Futility Cases

Causey v. St. Francis Med. Ctr. (La. App. 1998)

Wendland v. Sparks (Iowa 1998)

State v. Naramore (Kan. App. 1998) (murder conviction)

1995 Medical Futility Cases

Regina v. Cambridge Health Authority [1995] EWCA

Rideout v. Hershey Med. Ctr. (Dauphin Cty, Pa. 1995)

Velez v. Bethune (Ga. App. 1995)

Hartsell v. Fort Sanders Reg. Med. Ctr. (Tenn. 1995)

Lebreton v. Rabito (La. 1995)

1993-1994 Medical Futility Cases

In re Baby K (4th Cir. 1994)

In re Baby K (ED Va 1993)

1991 Medical Futility Cases

In re Helga Wanglie (Hennepin Cty, Minn. 1991)

1990 Futility Cases

State v. Shook (NC 1990) (murder conviction)

Payne v. Marion Gen. Hosp. (Ind. App. 1990)

1980's Medical Futility Cases

Grand Jury New York Hospital (1984)

Morgan v. Olds (Iowa 1987)

Kranson v. Valley Crest Nursing Home (3d Cir. 1985)

Facility Inspection Reports

ProPublica's Nursing Home Inspect: Search a database of federal sanctions against nursing homes across the country, including fines and payment suspensions.

Association of Health Care Journalists offers Hospital Inspections, a website that aims to make federal hospital inspection reports easier to access, search and analyze.

ThaddeusPope.com

Bioethics, Health Law, Normative Jurisprudence

Home

About

Contact

Biography

Publications

by Date

by Topic

by Discipline

Policy Statements

Right to Die Treatise

Selected Citations

Presentations

Upcoming Presentations

Past Presentations

Book Professor Pope

Videos

Service

Public Service

Academic Service

Peer Review

Honors & Awards

University Service

Bar Service

Community Service

ASBH

Expert Witness

Media

Teaching

Health Law Institute

Syllabi & Evals

Health Law PPT

Health Law Exams

Torts PPT

Torts Exams

Competitions

Student Resources

My Own Teachers

Minnesota Law

Consent

Decision Aids

Mandated Disclosures

Surrogates

Unbefriended

Advance Care Planning

Advance Directives

Unwanted Treatment

Right to Die

Medical Futility

Futility Blog

Futility Cases

Futility Statutes

Futility Policies

Brain Death

Background

Accommodation

Apnea Consent

Misdiagnosis

Jahi McMath

Israel Stinson

Aden Hailu

Hospital Wins

Family Wins

Other Cases

Pregnancy

Hospital Policies

Hasten Death

VSED

Aid in Dying

Organ Grab

HEC - CEC

CBO

Personal

Outdoor Life

Quotations

Art & Movies

Jerry Jazz

File Exchange