Court grants injunction to stop autopsy of PMH death

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
Dominica – The High Court has granted an injunction until October 23, 2015, which will prevent an autopsy on the body of Lisa Peter; who supposedly died under unusual circumstances while under observation prior to giving birth at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).
The family went to court in quest of an interim injunction to stop the autopsy. The reason for this injunction was stop the disposal of her remains and the foetus being carried by her at the time of her passing.
Lisa’s father, Michael Peter the Claimant, strongly believes that questions must be answered regarding the circumstances into the death of his daughter. He has included the Attorney General, the Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Director in the suit – DOM/HCV: 260 of 2015.
The court specified that “upon reading the Affidavit of the Applicant in Support of the Application; and upon counsel undertaking to file an amended statement of claim to reflect a cause of action as stated to the Court; and, upon the applicant undertaking to abide with any order for damages which may arise as a result of this in junction; and upon the Court recognising the interest of Michael Peter the father of the late Lisa Peter,” the following orders were made:
1. The Administrators and medical staff of the Princess Margaret Hospital immediately stop from proceeding with an autopsy on the remains of Lisa Peter an adult female who died on Wednesday 14 October 2015 at the Princess Margaret Hospital and that there be no action or procedure commenced or continued on the said body and or remains.
2. The Chief Medical Officer of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Medical Director and The Hospital Services Coordinator stop proceeding with the autopsy on the remains of the said Lisa Peter.
3. That the Hospital await the arrival of the independent Pathologist Dr David Gaskin whose services has been retained by the claimant herein to observe the autopsy within 72 hours hereof.
4. That the body of the deceased Lisa Peter and any part thereof including the fetus of her unborn child shall NOT be removed from the Morgue of the Princess Margaret Hospital or disposed of in any way.
5. This injunction is adjourned to and shall remain in force until Friday 23 October 2015.
The claimant Michael Peter is being represented by Attorney at law Tiyani Behanzin .