News

An article from the Chicago Tribune (05/15/09)

An advocacy group is suing University Hospital in Madison alleging doctors should not have withheld treatment from two developmentally disabled patients with apparent pneumonia.

The lawsuit by Disability Rights Wisconsin says the guardian of one patient, who survived, initially went along with the decision to withhold treatment, but later disagreed with it.

The complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court says the parents of the other patient, who died, favored withdrawing treatment.

The group says state law prevents parents and guardians from withholding treatment from patients who can't make that decision for themselves unless they are in a "persistent vegetative state." It says that condition didn't apply to these patients.

Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Brunette says doctors acted in the best interests of both patients and tried to follow the wishes of their families.