Family sues after man allegedly got medically assisted death during day pass from hospital – CBC

Claim says MAiD framework lacks safeguards for people with concurrent mental and physical illnesses

Dec 18, 2024

The family of a B.C. man with bipolar disorder and chronic back pain is suing the federal and provincial governments after he allegedly used a day pass from hospital to end his life with medical assistance.

In a lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court, the man’s family claims the 52-year-old — known as JMM — fell into a group of people whose concurrent physical and mental illnesses leave them “vulnerable” under Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAiD) framework.

“JMM received approval for medical assistance in dying, but he subsequently expressed that he did not wish to proceed with the procedure and instead, he wished to pursue other treatments, including rehabilitation,” the claim reads.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mental-physical-medical-assisted-death-1.7412923