Understanding the law as it applies to minors is critical in the practice of emergency medicine. Too many hours are spent wondering if a child should receive treatment since mom can't be reached on the phone, and how to provide safety for the child abuse victim. A working knowledge of the information presented here will empower you, and allow you to make more rapid management decisions.

Please use care in applying these principles. There are 50 separate jurisdictions with different sets
of laws and court cases. Generalizations can be made, but it is wise to review the law in your own jurisdiction and when time permits to request assistance from hospital administration and legal counsel.

1. W. Keeton, Prosser and Keeton on the Law of Torts §§18 & 32 (5th ed 1984).
   
2. Luka v. Lowrie 171 Mich 122, 136 NW 1106 (1912).
   
3. Sullivan v. Montgomery 119 So 2d 649 (La 1960).
   
4. Morrissey J, Hoffman A, Thorpe J: Consent and Confidentiality in the Health Care of Children and Adolescents: A Legal Guide. New York, The Free Press, Macmillan, 1986, pp 1-147.
   
5. Black's Law Dictionary, Ed. 5. St. Paul, Minnesota, West Publishing Company, 1983.
   
6. Bach v Long Island Jewish Hospital, 267 NYS2d 289 (NY 1966).
   
7. Morrison v State, 252 SW2d 97, 103 (Mo 1952).
   
8. Munson CF: Toward a standard of informed consent by the adolescent in medical treatment decisions, 8 Dickenson Law Rev 431, 1981.
   
9. Carter v Cangello, 164 Cal Rptr 361 (Cal 1980).
   
10. Rozofsky F: Consent to treatment: A Practical Guide, ed 2. Boston, Little, Brown & Co. 1990. pp 255-351.
    
11. Cohn R: Minors right to consent to medical care. Medical Trial Tech Q 31:286, 1985.
    
12. Bross DC: Medical care neglect. Child Abuse and Neglect 6:375-381, 1982.
    
13. Black's Law Dictionary, Ed. 5. St. Paul, Minnesota, West Publishing Company, 1983.
    
14. Holder AR: Parents, courts, and refusal of treatment. J Pediatr 103:515-521, 515, 1983.
    
15. State v. Perricone, New Jersey Reporter, Vol. 37, p. 463, Atlantic Reporter, 2d Series, Vol 181, p. 751, 1962.
    
16. Helfer RG, Kempe CH (eds): The Battered Child, ed. 3. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1980.
    
17. Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 23 2053 (1985).
    
18. See e.g. Landeros v. Flood, California Reporter, 2d Series, Vol. 131. p. 69, 1976. O'Keefe v. Osorio Medical Center Ltd. (Cook County Cir Ct July 26, 1984) No 79 L 14984.
    
19. Johnfroe v. Children's Hospital, 537 S.2d 383 Louisiana Ct. of Appeals.
    
20. Thomas v. Chadwick, No D010223 Cal. Ct of Appeals, 4th App. Dist.
21. Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 23 2055(a) (1985).