EP 20: Every State Determines Brain Death Differently. Really.

What does it mean to be dead? You’d think the answer to that question is binary. You are, or you are not dead. But the fact is every state in the US determines death differently. And when it comes to brain death specifically, the subtle differences can have major consequences for doctors, patients, and their families. This was a challenge before COVID-19. The pandemic has underscored the already urgent need to reconcile these differences as soon as possible. 

On this episode of the Medical Liability Minute, Jeff Segal, MD, JD, discusses brain death with Thaddeus Pope, JD, PhD. Professor Pope is one of the world’s leading experts on medical law and clinical ethics. Brain death and brain death legislation are among his specialties. If you’ve spent even a modest amount of time researching the subject, you have likely read his work. We are privileged to have Professor Pope as our guest on this episode of the Medical Liability Minute.