CASE SUMMARY TIMELINE (FOR LEGAL REVIEW)
Client: Petrina Ryan-Kleid (Resides in New York)
Subject: Barry Peter Ryan (deceased)
Matter: Potential medical negligence / wrongful death (Queensland, 2025)
Background
Barry Peter Ryan (78) had Parkinson’s disease with dysarthria and some cognitive impairment. Prior to April 2025, he was socially engaged, communicative, and eating adequately.
Petrina Ryan-Kleid (daughter) was appointed Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) alongside her aunt, Barb, who was assisting locally while Petrina resided in New York.
April 2025 – Initial Hospital Admission (Mater Hospital)
Sudden decline following a routine medical appointment (13 April 2025)
On admission, a third party informed staff that Barry had:
- “end-stage dementia”
- “end-stage Parkinson’s disease”
- A “comfort care” plan was implemented shortly after admission
- Petrina was not identified to the treating team as EPOA or next of kin
Concerns:
- No documented clinical evidence supporting “end-stage” diagnoses
- Early shift away from active treatment toward end-of-life care
- Exclusion of co-EPOA from decision-making
- April–May 2025 – Hospital Course
- Parkinson’s medications were initially withheld, then administered via NG tube (not used for nutrition)
- Patient observed to be alert and responsive despite lack of medication
Ongoing concerns:
- excessive sedation
- poor oral intake
- weight loss
Barry had previously documented (2019 Statement of Choices) a preference for active treatment, including artificial feeding.
He also indicated that Petrina should be involved in medical decision-making.
May–Early June 2025 – Continued Decline Under “Comfort Care”
Persistent:
- sedation
- malnutrition
- dehydration
- Multiple admissions associated with reduced intake and weakness
No confirmed:
- aspiration pneumonia
- bacterial infection
Concern:
The clinical presentation appeared potentially consistent with medication effects, dehydration, and malnutrition rather than a clearly established terminal process.
June 2025 – Medication Reduction & Improvement
- Parkinson’s medications were reduced following repeated requests
- Subsequent improvement observed:
- increased alertness
- improved communication
- greater engagement
Significance:
This response raises the possibility that earlier deterioration may have been influenced by medication-related sedation.
Mid–Late June 2025 – Nursing Home & Readmission
- Discharged to nursing home
- Administered bowel medication despite frailty
Subsequent events:
- severe diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- hypokalaemia (low potassium)
- readmission following unsafe administration of oral medication
Findings:
- Imaging confirmed no constipation
- Late June–July 2025 – Refeeding & Clinical Improvement
- NG feeding commenced at Petrina’s request
Observed improvements:
- weight
- strength
- cognition
- motor function
- Neurology reviews documented improvement
- Clinical presentation appeared inconsistent with an “end-stage” condition
Late July 2025 – EPOA Suspension (QCAT)
- Petrina’s authority as EPOA suspended
- Parkinson’s medication increased significantly (~250%)
Following this:
- marked decline
- reduced communication
- decreased oral intake
- NG tube removed and not replaced
- September 2025 – Final Period
- Patient intermittently responsive
- Ongoing reduced intake
- Administration of narcotic medications
Final contact (25 September):
- Patient recognised Petrina
- demonstrated awareness and communication
Death – Late September 2025
Death occurred following:
- minimal intake
- sedation
- absence of sustained nutritional support
Key Concerns
- Lack of documented clinical basis for “end-stage” classification
- Early implementation of “comfort care”
- Exclusion of EPOA from decision-making
- Possible reliance on unverified third-party information
- Inadequate provision of nutrition and hydration
- Evidence of clinical improvement following intervention
- Deterioration following increased sedation and reduced support
Summary
The available information indicates that Barry Peter Ryan’s clinical course may have been influenced by:
- sedation
- malnutrition
- dehydration
- and treatment decisions made in the context of uncertain diagnostic assumptions
His observed improvement following medication adjustment and nutritional support raises questions as to whether his condition may have been, at least in part, reversible at the time key decisions were made.
LEGAL BRIEF – INITIAL CASE SUMMARY (regarding Barb Meynell)
Client: Petrina Ryan-Kleid
Matter: Potential Medical Negligence, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, and Financial Misconduct
Jurisdiction: Queensland, Australia
Subject: Barry Peter Ryan (deceased)
1. Overview
This matter concerns the medical treatment and financial management of Barry Peter Ryan in 2025, including the actions of his co-Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA), Barb Meynell, whose conduct may have contributed to inappropriate medical decision-making and financial irregularities.
Barb was initially introduced as a supportive co-EPOA due to her proximity and experience, and I relied on this representation in good faith. However, her subsequent actions, including withholding EPOA documentation, excluding me from decision-making, and obstructing access to financial information, raise serious concerns about whether this role was used to gain control over my father’s affairs.
Given the significant and unexplained reduction in my father’s assets, I believe this matter warrants independent investigation to determine whether any financial misconduct or misuse of authority has occurred.
2. Key Allegations
A. Concealment and Interference with EPOA Authority
- Barb withheld EPOA documentation from Petrina Ryan-Kleid for several years, despite being in direct, ongoing contact with her.
- She failed to disclose Petrina’s role as co-EPOA and next of kin to medical providers at the time of hospital admission.
- She represented Petrina’s valid EPOA as fraudulent to third parties, including bank staff and healthcare providers.
- This obstruction continued even after a QCAT determination confirmed the validity of Petrina’s EPOA.
B. Misrepresentation of Medical Condition
- Barb informed medical staff that Barry Ryan had “end-stage dementia” and “end-stage Parkinson’s disease.”
- There is no evidence of any formal diagnosis supporting these claims.
- Barb had not spent meaningful time with Barry Ryan since 2024 and was not in a position to provide accurate clinical collateral.
- These representations contributed to the rapid implementation of a “comfort care” plan.
C. Exclusion from Medical Decision-Making
- Petrina Ryan-Kleid was not informed of her father’s hospital admission or treatment decisions.
- Barb consented to “comfort care” measures without notifying or consulting the co-EPOA.
- Petrina was actively excluded from communication with treating teams and institutions.
D. Conduct Potentially Influencing Treatment Outcomes
- Barb advocated for withdrawal of active treatment based on unverified and inaccurate information.
- She portrayed herself as the primary and closest decision-maker despite limited recent involvement in Barry Ryan’s life.
- She made statements indicating that Barry Ryan would not want treatment, which is inconsistent with his known values and prior expressed wishes.
- She left on an extended caravan trip shortly after Barry Ryan was declared “dying,” limiting her direct knowledge of his condition.
E. Reputational Undermining
- Barb made repeated disparaging statements about Petrina Ryan-Kleid to medical staff, portraying her as unreliable, uninvolved, or irrational.
- This contributed to bias within medical and care teams and undermined Petrina’s ability to advocate effectively.
F. Financial Concerns
- There are substantial unexplained discrepancies in Barry Ryan’s financial accounts, estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Barb has failed to provide receipts or documentation for claimed expenditures.
- Despite claiming significant spending on Barry Ryan’s care (e.g., clothing), there is little to no physical evidence of these purchases.
- Barb continued to interfere with Petrina’s access to financial accounts even after QCAT confirmed the validity of her EPOA.
3. Resulting Concerns
- Potential breach of fiduciary duties by a co-EPOA
- Potential financial misappropriation
- Potential misrepresentation influencing clinical decision-making
- Potential exclusion of lawful decision-maker
- Possible contribution to inappropriate end-of-life care decisions
4. Supporting Evidence (Available)
- QCAT determination confirming validity of Petrina Ryan-Kleid’s EPOA
- Medical records indicating absence of confirmed “end-stage” diagnoses
- Barry Ryan’s Statement of Choices (2019) indicating preference for treatment
- Video and observational evidence of improvement following intervention
- Financial records indicating asset discrepancies
- Email and written correspondence demonstrating obstruction and misrepresentation
5. Assistance Requested
Advice is sought regarding:
- Viability of a medical negligence or wrongful death claim
- Potential civil action for breach of fiduciary duty
- Investigation or recovery of missing funds
- Any available legal remedies arising from exclusion as EPOA
Prepared by:
Petrina Ryan-Kleid
