A Jehovah's Witness' repeated written and verbal refusal to allow doctors to perform a blood transfusion prior to her death prevents her estate from proceeding with a medical malpractice lawsuit, the Pennsylvania Superior Court has ruled.

A unanimous three-judge panel ruled July 18 in Seels v. Tenet Health System Hahnemann that the trial court made no errors in its denial of post-trial motions following a jury finding that Terri 
Seels-Davila's death was not caused by the negligence of her medical providers.

During her pregnancy in 2010, 
Seels-Davila indicated in a form signed with Hahnemann that no blood should be administered to her during her hospitalization, in accordance with her religious beliefs, according to Judge Jacqueline O. Shogan's opinion. When she encountered challenges during labor that led to blood loss, she reiterated verbally and in writing her refusal to accept blood, including telling one doctor she “'would rather die than receive blood products.'” Her doctors, certain she would die without blood transfusions, sought permission from her family members to do such a procedure and were rebuffed, the opinion said. She died in November 2010.