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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. Materials on the Charlie Gard case are also collected on a separate page.  
Help Me Disseminate Legal Documents to Inform Bioethics Policy

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
Hearing on Dispositive Motions (Sept. 22, 2017)
PTF Amended Motion Summary Judgment (Aug. 21, 2017)
DEF Hospital Motion Summary Judgment (Aug. 21, 2017)
DEF Hospital Suppl. Motion Dismiss (Aug. 21, 2017)
DEF Hospital Reply on Continuance (Aug. 9, 2017)
DEF Hospital Objections to PTF Evidence (Aug. 8, 2017)
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 31, 2017) Amicus Brief TEXAS ALLIANCE FOR LIFE, TEXAS CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF BISHOPS, TEXAS BAPTIST CHRISTIAN LIFE COMMISSION, TEXANS FOR LIFE COALITION, COALITION OF TEXANSWITH DISABILITIES, TEXAS ALLIANCE FOR PATIENT ACCESS, TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, TEXAS OSTEOPATHIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, TEXAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, AND LEADINGAGE TEXAS
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 18, 2017) notice of hearing
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 14, 2017) Kelly affidavit
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 14, 2017) Nixon affidavit
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 14, 2017) PTF move summary judgment
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 14, 2017) PTF seek protection late discovery
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 13, 2017) DEF move continuance
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 13, 2017) EXH A to continuance
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 13, 2017) EXH B to continuance
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (July 7, 2017) PTF jury demand
Tasha Banks v Santaniello (ND Ill July 2017) (Order granting motion dismiss)
Tasha Banks v Santaniello (ND Ill Nov. 2016) (amended complaint)
NHS Hospital Trust v GM (UK High Court June 30, 2017)
Health Service Executive v JM (High Ct Ireland June 2017)
Gard and Others v. the United Kingdom (ECHR June 27, 2017) (decision ruling application inadmisible)
Lang v. Rogue Valley Medical (Oregon June 2017)
Gard and Others v. the United Kingdom (ECHR June 27, 2017) (press release re decision ruling application inadmisible)
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty Tex) (set August 18, 2017 hearing)
Kelly v Methodist Hospital (Harris Cty Tex June 22, 2017) (motion dispositive motions)
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)
Trav v. College of Physicians & Surgeons Alberta (ABQB 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)
In re Skeates (UK Nursing & Midwifery Council Jan. 27, 2017)
In re Kandall (UK Nursing & Midwifery Council Jan. 9, 2017)
2016 Medical Futility Cases
Alexander v Scripps Memorial Hospital (San Diego Sup Ct July 2016) (Grant summary judgment)
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
Children Aid Ont v MC (SC 2008)
Rotaru v Vancouver General Hospital BCSC 2008
In re IHV (2008 ABQB)
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
Re L.I.C. (Dependent Adult), 2006 ABQB
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
Scardoni v Hawryluck (Ont SC 2004)
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
Sawatzky v. Riverview Health Centre Inc. (MB QB 1998)
Causey v. St. Francis Med. Ctr. (La. App. 1998)
Wendland v. Sparks (Iowa 1998)
State v. Naramore (Kan. App. 1998) (murder conviction)
1997 Futility Cases
Child Family Services v Lavallee (MB CA 1997)
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.