Jahi McMath case

Jahi McMath

Name	Jahi McMath
Birth name
Birth date	October 24, 2000
Birth place	Oakland, California, United States
Death date	June 22, 2018
Death place	New Jersey, United States
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Known for	Legal case regarding brain death
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The Jahi McMath case was a significant legal and medical case in the United States that raised important questions about the definition of brain death and the rights of patients and families in medical decision-making. Jahi McMath, a 13-year-old girl from Oakland, California, was declared brain dead following complications from surgery in December 2013. Her family's refusal to accept the brain death diagnosis led to a prolonged legal battle and public debate.

Background

Jahi McMath was admitted to Children's Hospital Oakland for a complex surgery to treat sleep apnea. The procedure involved a tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Following the surgery, Jahi experienced severe complications, including massive bleeding, which led to cardiac arrest and significant brain injury.

On December 12, 2013, doctors at the hospital declared Jahi brain dead, a diagnosis that is legally recognized as death in the state of California. However, Jahi's family contested this diagnosis, citing religious beliefs and their observations of Jahi's bodily functions, such as movement and response to stimuli.

Legal Proceedings

The case quickly moved to the courts as Jahi's family sought to keep her on life support. The family argued that Jahi was not dead and that removing her from the ventilator would violate their religious rights. The hospital, on the other hand, maintained that Jahi was legally dead and that continuing life support was medically and ethically inappropriate.

In January 2014, a settlement was reached that allowed Jahi to be transferred to a facility in New Jersey, a state that accommodates religious objections to brain death. Jahi remained on life support in New Jersey, where her family continued to care for her.

Medical and Ethical Implications

The Jahi McMath case highlighted the complexities surrounding the diagnosis of brain death and the ethical considerations in end-of-life care. It raised questions about the criteria for brain death, the role of religious and cultural beliefs in medical decisions, and the rights of families versus medical professionals.

Death and Aftermath

Jahi McMath remained on life support for over four years. On June 22, 2018, she died of complications related to liver failure. Her death certificate listed "anoxic brain injury" as a contributing factor.

The case continues to be a point of reference in discussions about brain death, patient rights, and medical ethics.

Also see

• Brain death
• End-of-life care
• Medical ethics
• Patient rights
• Religious views on brain death

References

• New York Times article on Jahi McMath
• BBC News article on Jahi McMath