{"data":{"id":"us-pa/16-pa.c.s.-13921","jurisdiction":"us-pa","citation":"16 Pa.C.S. § 13921","heading":"Sudden death.","body":"(a) Recognition.--The coroner shall recognize a death as sudden if all of the following apply:\n(1) The death occurs without prior medical attendance by an individual who may lawfully execute a certificate of death in this Commonwealth.\n(2) Within 24 hours of death the decedent:\n(i) was discharged from medical attendance;\n(ii) had a change of medical attendance occur; or\n(iii) had medical attendance and the medical attendant refuses or is unable to certify the cause of death.\n(b) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the coroner's discretion in determining if a death is suspicious or to authorize a coroner to investigate a sudden death further than necessary to determine the cause and manner of death.\n(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term \"medical attendance\" shall include treatment or care at a facility providing medical services, including a hospital, nursing home and hospice service.","path":["Title 16 - COUNTIES","PART IV COUNTIES OF THE SECOND CLASS A THROUGH EIGHTH CLASS","CHAPTER 139 CORONER","SUBCHAPTER B GENERAL PROVISIONS"],"source_url":"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM\u0026ttl=16\u0026div=0\u0026chpt=139\u0026sctn=21\u0026subsctn=0","current_through":"2026-07-23 (Statute Update stamp, 16 Pa.C.S.)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T16:31:18Z","sha256":"e1b388fd0833126419cc16f534b2d311e90d100b63e133f2fe4d20d52dbe1680","source_id":"us-pa","stale":false,"prev":"us-pa/16-pa.c.s.-13920","next":"us-pa/16-pa.c.s.-13922"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}