Treatment FAQ

what if a parent denies their child life-saving treatment

by Gust Heathcote Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The court explained that in a situation where the medical treatment proposed for a child is not life-saving or life-sustaining, a court order is needed to override a parent's refusal to consent to the treatment.Aug 1, 2003

Full Answer

What happens if a child does not consent to life saving treatment?

There is a duty to report children “in need of protection” and therefore the CAS must typically be notified if parents do not consent to life-saving treatment. The CAS investigates and can apply to court with the ultimate result being that the CAS gets to make the medical decision in question.

What happens if a parent denies a child medical care?

A parent who denies his or her child necessary medical care could face the following consequences: · Loss of custody. The state may find that the parent is neglecting the child and place the child in state custody in order to protect the child. · Criminal charges.

Can a parent refuse medical treatment for their child?

Outside of these circumstances, parents have the right to consent or refuse medical treatment for their children. For example: If a child has a terminal condition and several doctors agree that treatment is no longer beneficial for the child, then the parents have the right to refuse treatment and seek hospice care for their child.

Can a teenager refuse to discontinue life-saving therapies?

Virtual Mentor. 2012;14 (10):792-796. doi: 10.1001/virtualmentor.2012.14.10.hlaw1-1210. Rare but challenging are those cases in which teenagers, whether for religious or other reasons, refuse or seek to discontinue life-saving therapies.

Can parents refuse life-saving treatment for their child?

Parents have the responsibility and authority to make medical decisions on behalf of their children. This includes the right to refuse or discontinue treatments, even those that may be life-sustaining.

Can you refuse life-saving treatment?

After a competent patient chooses to forego a life-sustaining treatment or procedure, the healthcare team is faced with only one option: We must support the wishes of the patient that will ultimately result in his or her death. Forcing treatment on a patient without his or her informed consent is illegal.

Can I refuse treatment for my child?

They're the fifth set of parents from the church to face criminal charges over the past nine years for failing to seek medical care for their children, according to The Washington Post. In the United States, adults can refuse any medical care, as long as they're competent to make their own decisions.

What if parents disagree on medical treatment?

Legal Options When Parents Disagree on Medical Decisions If there is shared decision-making regarding medical issues and both parents cannot come to an agreement, the court will examine the facts both parties put forth and determine what is in the best interest of the child.

Does everyone have the right to refuse treatment?

Every competent adult has the right to refuse unwanted medical treatment. This is part of the right of every individual to choose what will be done to their own body, and it applies even when refusing treatment means that the person may die.

Can you refuse medical treatment for yourself even if it means death?

Courts have upheld the right of patients to choose their own medical treatment, even when their decisions may lead to health impairment or death. The right to refuse medical treatment can only be overridden when a patient is deemed by a court to be lacking in decisional capacity.

When can a parent parents refuse medical treatment for a child?

Alberta uses the mature minor doctrine for youth giving consent to medical treatments. If you are a minor (under the age of majority) in Canada, you can generally make your own medical decisions if: you are mature enough to make your own informed decisions; and. you understand the consequences of your decision.

Can doctors override parents decisions?

However, there are situations where doctors can disagree with a parent's decision if a child is in a severe medical dilemma. The parens patriae doctrine gives the state the right to intervene with a parent's decision when it's believed they are not acting in the best interest for the child's well-being.

Which legally allows parents to withhold life sustaining treatment from a terminally ill child?

ADVANCE DIRECTIVES Those two legal documents are 1) a living will or 2) the durable power of attorney.

Why do parents refuse medical treatment for their child?

For example: If a child has a terminal condition and several doctors agree that treatment is no longer beneficial for the child, then the parents have the right to refuse treatment and seek hospice care for their child.

Do both parents have to agree on medication?

Solutions for Medication Disputes If one party has sole legal custody, then he or she has the exclusive right to make medical decisions for the children. If you have joint legal custody, then both parents must come to agreement on issues regarding medical decisions.

When parents disagree with doctors on a child's treatment who should have the final say?

In some cases, one parent will have legal custody of the child, giving them the final say on major healthcare decisions. But in most cases, parents share joint legal custody. In these instances, parents typically must come to an agreement regarding medical decisions.

What are the 7 rights of a patient?

Your Legal Rights as a Patient in the American Healthcare SystemThe Right to Be Treated with Respect.The Right to Obtain Your Medical Records.The Right to Privacy of Your Medical Records.The Right to Make a Treatment Choice.The Right to Informed Consent.The Right to Refuse Treatment.More items...•

Can a doctor treat a child without parental consent?

You can provide medical treatment to a child or young person with their consent if they are competent, or with the consent of a parent or the court. You can provide emergency treatment without consent to save the life of, or prevent serious deterioration in the health of, a child or young person.

What are a few examples of when a patient can refuse treatment?

1 Accordingly, the patient may refuse to be informed about their medical condition and make a decision. An example would be the statement, “I don't want to hear anything from you. I'm not going to the hospital.” They may be informed and then refuse to make a decision. “Wow, that sounds bad either way.

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