§16-19-3a Recovery of corneas; conditions; liability of medical examiner. - West Virginia Statutes

§16-19-3a. Recovery of corneas; conditions; liability of medical examiner.

(a) In any case where a patient is in need of corneal tissue for a transplant, the chief medical examiner, assistant medical examiner, regional pathologist or any other person designated to perform an autopsy in accordance with article twelve, chapter sixty-one of this code, may provide a cornea for transplant, under rules, regulations and procedures established by the chief medical examiner, upon the request of the medical eye bank of West Virginia, incorporated, under the following conditions:

(1) The body of the decedent having a suitable cornea for the transplant is under the jurisdiction of the chief medical examiner and an autopsy is required, in accordance with article twelve, chapter sixty-one of this code;

(2) The decedent's next of kin makes no objection; and

(3) Transplanting of the cornea will not interfere with the course of any subsequent investigation or autopsy or alter the postmortem facial appearance.

(b) Neither the chief medical examiner, any assistant medical examiner, regional pathologist or any other person designated to perform an autopsy in accordance with section ten, article twelve, chapter sixty-one of this code and who provides a cornea in accordance with the provisions of this section, nor the medical eye bank of West Virginia, incorporated, shall be liable for any civil damages if the decedent's next of kin subsequently contends that his authorization was required.