Parents want access to final postmortem report
I'm assuming you're referring to a situation where parents are seeking access to the final postmortem report of their child who has passed away.
In many jurisdictions, the postmortem report is considered a confidential document, and its release is governed by specific laws and regulations. The report typically contains sensitive and potentially disturbing information about the circumstances surrounding the death, and its release is often restricted to ensure that the privacy of the deceased and their family is protected.
That being said, parents who have lost a child may have a strong desire to access the postmortem report in order to better understand the circumstances of their child's death, to find closure, or to seek answers to questions they may have about the events leading up to the death.
In some cases, the coroner or medical examiner's office may be willing to provide a summary of the findings or a redacted version of the report, but this is not always possible or appropriate.
If the parents are seeking access to the postmortem report, they may want to consider the following options:
- Contact the coroner or medical examiner's office: The parents can reach out to the coroner or medical examiner's office and request a copy of the postmortem report. They may need to provide identification and proof of their relationship to the deceased.
- Submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request: In the United States, the parents can submit a FOIA request to the coroner or medical examiner's office, which may require them to provide a written request and pay a fee for the report.
- Consult with an attorney: The parents may want to consult with an attorney who specializes in wrongful death or medical malpractice cases. The attorney can help them understand their rights and options for accessing the postmortem report.
- Seek support from a support group: Losing a child is a traumatic experience, and seeking support from a support group or counseling services can be helpful in coping with the loss.
It's important to note that the release of the postmortem report is typically governed by specific laws and regulations, and the coroner or medical examiner's office may not be able to provide the report if it is deemed to be confidential or if it could cause harm to the deceased or their family.