Glossary of Terms

Ward

Means a person for whom a guardian has been appointed to by the Court.

Writ

A formal written order issued by the court.

Wrongful death

Wrongful death is a death caused by someone else - an individual, group of individuals, company, or organization - that can be the immediate or delayed outcome of someone else's negligence and the misconduct or negligence causing the death. Wrongful deaths can be intentional or unintentional and can occur in an instant or can be a long and agonizing event. Wrongful death lawsuits are brought by the relatives of the deceased. The suits must be brought under a state's Wrongful Death statute, because there is no wrongful death cause of action under the common law.

Wrongful Death Act of the District of Columbia

If a person is killed as a result of negligence that occurs in Washington, D.C., the spouse or domestic partner and the next of kin of the deceased person can bring a wrongful death claim. The claim must be brought by the personal representative of the decedent s estate, and within one year after the death of the person injured. The law regarding D.C. Wrongful Death Claims is located in the D.C. Code Sections 16-2701 through 16-2703.

http://government.westlaw.com/linkedslice/default.asp?SP=DCC-1000

Wrong-Site Surgery

This type of surgery occurs when health care providers mistakenly remove the wrong limbs or organs, execute a procedure on the wrong side of bodies and perform surgery on the wrong patients.

Current studies show that wrong site surgeries are more common than previously thought and that current prevention efforts may be inadequate. See Wrong Site Surgery Washington Post.

For more information see the Joint Commissions Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong Site, Wrong Procedure, Wrong Person Surgery.