RT Journal
A1 Rogal, Michael J.
T1 A Legal Perspective of Surrogacy and Paternalism
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 2001
FD April 1
VO 83
IS 4
SP 623
OP 623
DO 
UL http://dx.doi.org/
AB 
I would like to comment on the recent articles in the "Ethics
in Practice" section of The Journal regarding surrogacy
(82-A: 748-749, May 2000) and paternalism (82-A: 1050-1051, July
2000), by Capozzi and Rhodes. Whenever possible, physicians should
know the correct health-care decision-maker before starting treatment.
Legal liability may attach to the physician who does not adhere
to the directives of the proper party. Physicians may be held liable
for a wrongful death or the costs of a wrongful life. The latter
term applies when unwanted treatment is given to a patient to sustain his
or her life.