Florida Statutes 382.011 – Medical examiner determination of cause of death
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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 382.011
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- Decedent: A deceased person.
- Department: means the Department of Health. See Florida Statutes 382.002
- Fetal death: means death prior to the complete expulsion or extraction of a product of human conception from its mother if the 20th week of gestation has been reached and the death is indicated by the fact that after such expulsion or extraction the fetus does not breathe or show any other evidence of life such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles. See Florida Statutes 382.002
- Final disposition: means the burial, interment, entombment, cremation, removal from the state, anatomical donation, or other authorized disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection (8). See Florida Statutes 382.002
- Funeral director: means a licensed funeral director or direct disposer licensed pursuant to chapter 497 who first assumes custody of or effects the final disposition of a dead body or a fetus as described in subsection (8). See Florida Statutes 382.002
- Medical examiner: means a person appointed pursuant to chapter 406. See Florida Statutes 382.002
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Physician: means a person authorized to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, or chiropractic medicine pursuant to chapter 458, chapter 459, or chapter 460. See Florida Statutes 382.002
(1) In the case of any death or fetal death due to causes or conditions listed in s. 406.11, any death that occurred more than 12 months after the decedent was last treated by a primary or attending physician, or any death for which there is reason to believe that the death may have been due to an unlawful act or neglect, the funeral director or other person to whose attention the death may come shall refer the case to the district medical examiner of the county in which the death occurred or the body was found for investigation and determination of the cause of death.
(2) The medical examiner shall complete and sign the medical certification of cause of death of the death or fetal death certificate within 72 hours after notification, whether or not final determination of the cause of death has been established, unless an extension has been granted as provided under s. 382.008. Any amendment fees prescribed in s. 382.0255 shall be waived when a later determination of cause of death is made.
(3) The funeral director shall retain the responsibility for preparation of the death or fetal death certificate, obtaining the necessary signatures, filing with the department in a timely manner, and arranging for final disposition of the body when released by the medical examiner.