Louisiana § RS 9:111 - Definition of death

§ RS 9:111. Definition of death

            A. A person will be considered dead if in the announced opinion of a physician, duly licensed in the state of Louisiana based on ordinary standards of approved medical practice, the person has experienced an irreversible cessation of spontaneous respiratory and circulatory functions. In the event that artificial means of support preclude a determination that these functions have ceased, a person will be considered dead if in the announced opinion of a physician, duly licensed in the state of Louisiana based upon ordinary standards of approved medical practice, the person has experienced an irreversible total cessation of brain function. Death will have occurred at the time when the relevant functions ceased. In any case when organs are to be used in a transplant, then an additional physician, duly licensed in the state of Louisiana not a member of the transplant team, must make the pronouncement of death unless a hospital has adopted a written policy allowing that a single physician, duly licensed in the state of Louisiana, not a member of the transplant team, may make the pronouncement of death. In all cases in which a hospital written policy provides that a single physician makes the pronouncement of death, such policy shall also require an opinion by a second physician, not a member of the transplant team, as to the candidacy of the person for the process of organ donation.

            B. The medical pronouncement of death by a coroner may also be based on personal observation, information, or statements obtained from coroner investigators, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physician assistants, or emergency medical technicians at the scene who are reporting from firsthand observation of the physical condition of the deceased. The time of death shall be reported as the time that the death was reported or discovered. The name of the personnel that the coroner is relying on shall be noted on the coroner's investigative report.

            Added by Acts 1976, No. 233, §1; Acts 2001, No. 317, §1; Acts 2010, No. 937, §1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2015, No. 302, §1; Acts 2026, No. 367, §1.