Karen Ann Quinlan Case

The Karen Ann Quinlan case, which began in 1975, involved a young woman in a persistent vegetative state after a tragic accident. Her parents sought to disconnect her from a ventilator, believing she would not recover. The hospital refused, citing legal and ethical concerns. The case went to court, leading to a landmark decision in 1976. The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in favor of Quinlan’s parents, allowing them to withdraw life support. This case raised important questions about patient rights, parental authority, and the ethics of life-sustaining treatment, influencing subsequent debates on end-of-life care and medical ethics.