Opinion ID: 1985823
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Court of Chancery Decision

Text: The Court of Chancery concluded that Mrs. Tavel was in a persistent vegetative state. The Court of Chancery found Dr. Fink's testimony persuasive as to Mrs. Tavel's condition, in part, because he had relied on respected medical authorities. The Court of Chancery noted that his opinion concerning the effect of withdrawing the feeding tube was consistent with the ethical standards adopted by the American Medical Association. It was not persuaded by Dr. Monteleone's testimony because he had not relied on medical authorities and because, in the Court of Chancery's view, Dr. Monteleone's opinion primarily reflected his belief that a physician has a moral duty to provide nutrition under all circumstances. The Court of Chancery held that Mrs. Tavel-Lipnick was required, under the substituted judgment standard, to prove through clear and convincing evidence that her mother would have wanted the tube removed. The Court of Chancery found that the testimony of Mrs. Tavel-Lipnick, combined with the testimony of Mrs. Tavel's close friends, provided clear and convincing evidence that Mrs. Tavel would have wanted the feeding tube removed. The Court of Chancery found no reason to discredit the witnesses' testimony, particularly because Mrs. Tavel had no property and there was no question of ulterior motives. After reviewing the evidence, the Court of Chancery granted Mrs. Tavel-Lipnick's petition to remove the feeding tube. The Court of Chancery found that Mrs. Tavel-Lipnick had presented clear and convincing evidence that her mother was in a persistent vegetative state and that her mother, if she had been capable of communicating her wishes, would have wanted the feeding tube removed.