Public Health Trust of Dade County v. Wons case brief

Public Health Trust of Dade County v. Wons case brief summary
541 So.2d 96 (1989)

CASE SYNOPSIS

A question was certified by the District Court of Appeal, Third District, Dade County (Florida), as to whether respondent mother, as a competent adult, had a lawful right to refuse a blood transfusion without which she would have likely died. The district court had answered in the affirmative, denying petitioner health trust's request to force respondent to undergo a blood transfusion.

CASE FACTS
The district court certified a question as to whether respondent mother, as a competent adult, had a lawful right to refuse a blood transfusion without which she would have likely died.
DISCUSSION

• The district court answered in the affirmative, denying petitioner health trust's request to force respondent to undergo a blood transfusion. 
• The court held there were four established criteria wherein the right to refuse medical treatment may have been overridden by a compelling state interest: preservation of life, protection of innocent third parties, prevention of suicide, and maintenance of the ethical integrity of the medical profession. 
• The court held the state's interest in maintaining a home with two parents for respondent's minor children did not override respondent's constitutional rights of privacy and religion. 
• Accordingly, the district court decision was approved.

CONCLUSION
The certified question was answered in the affirmative, and the district court decision was approved, because the state's interest in maintaining a home with two parents for respondent's minor children did not override respondent's constitutional rights of privacy and religion.



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