AboutPaul D. Friedman, M.A., Ph.D., J.D. Expertise I have a master's degree in bioethics which inlcudes medical and research ethics. In addition to a law degree, I have a doctorate of philosophy in comparative ethics involving medicine, law and business. I also am an Adjunct Professor at a medical school.
I can answer questions related to the ethics of withholding, instituting or withdrawal of life support.
Experience Experience in the area I have been a practicing trial attorney since 1989 plus I have a master's degree in bioethics and a doctorate of philosophy regarding comparative ethics. I am also an Adjunct Professor at a medical school where I teach current providers and students medical ethics.
Organizations State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
District of Columbia Bar (inactive)
Federal Bar
Licensed in Arizona District Court
Licensed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Licensed in the United States Supreme Court American Bar Association National Board of Trial Advocacy
American Association for Justice
Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
American Society for Bioethics and Humanities Kennedy Institute of Ethics National Association of Realtors
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Arts 1985
Juris Doctorate 1989
Master of Arts in Bioethics 2004 Doctorate of Philosphy 2006
Awards and Honors Phi Beta Kappa
Multiple Who's Who
Publications A list of my copyrighted publications and presentations is contained at WWW.EXPERTETHICS.COM
Question my son is 25 and has learning disabilitys the doctors are now saying that he is unable to make disisions on life threatning maters ..he does not want to go into hosbital and the doctors may be thinking of comiting him which i no my son would not want so am i able to voice that over to them or do i need to seek a lawyer
Answer Sandra,
I strongly suggest you see a lawyer. If your son does not have decision making capacity, you may wish to become his conservator to make decisions on his behalf. If it is not his wish to become hospitalized and he does have the capacity to make this decision, that wish should be honored. If he does not have the capacity, his substituted judgment or best interests would probably be utilized. It depends on the level of his disability, ability to understand and ability to communicate his decision.
