Document: 391 U.S. 68 88 S.Ct. 1509 20 L.Ed.2d 436 Thelma LEVY, etc., Appellant,v.LOUISIANA, et al. No. 508. Decided May 20, 1968. Rehearing Denied Oct. 14, See 89 65. Norman Dorsen, New York City, for appellant. William A. Porteous, III, Orleans, La., appellees. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellant sued on behalf five illegitimate children to recover, under a Louisiana statute.1 (La.Civ.Code Ann. Art. 2315 (Supp.1967)) two kinds damages as result wrongful death their mother: (1) them loss mother; and (2) those based survival cause action which mother had at time her pain suffering. Appellees2 are doctor who treated insurance company. 2 We assume in present state pleadings that mother, Louise Levy, gave birth these they lived with her; she parent would treat any other child; worked domestic servant support them, taking church every Sunday enrolling own expense, parochial school. The District Court dismissed suit. Appeal affirmed, holding 'child' Article means 'legitimate child,' denial 'the right recover' being 'based morals general welfare because it discourages bringing into world out wedlock.' 192 So.2d 193, 195. Supreme denied certiorari. 250 La. 25, 193 530. 3 case is here appeal (28 U.S.C. § 1257(2)); we noted probable jurisdiction, 389 925, 290, 19 l.Ed.2d 276, statute construed having been sustained against challenge both Due Process Equal Protection Clauses Fourteenth Amendment. 4 start from premise not 'nonpersons.' They humans, live, have being.3 clearly 'persons' within meaning Clause Amendment.4 5 While State has broad power when comes making classifications (Ferguson v. Skrupa, 372 726, 732, 83 1028, 1032, 10 93), may draw line constitutes an invidious discrimination particular class. Skinner Oklahoma, 316 535, 541—542, 62 1110, 1113—1114, 86 L.Ed. 1655. Though test variously stated, end whether drawn rational one. Morey Doud, 354 457, 465—466, 77 1344, 1349—1351, 1485. 6 In applying social economic legistion, give great latitude legislature makig classifications. Williamson Lee Optical, 348 483, 489, 75 461, 465, 99 563; supra, U.S., S.Ct., 1349—1351. Even so, corporation, 'person,' certain purposes, (Pembina Consol. Silver Mining & Milling Co. Pennsylvania, 125 181, 188, 8 737, 740, 31 650) be required forgo recovery wrongs done its interests incorporators were all bastards? However might be, extremely sensitive basic civil rights (Skinner 541, 1113; Harper Virginia Board Elections, 383 663, 669—670, 1079, 1082 1083, 16 169) hesitated strike down classification even though history tradition side. (Brown Education, 347 74 686, 98 873; 669, 1082.) asserted involve intimate, familial relationship between child his mother. When child's claim damage issue, why, terms 'equal protection,' should tortfeasors go free merely illegitimate? Why wedlock? He certainly subject responsibilities citizen, including payment taxes conscription Selective Service Act. How our constitutional regime can he correlative citizens enjoy? Legitimacy or illegitimacy no relation nature wrong allegedly inflicted These children, illegitimate, dependent cared nurtured them; indeed hers biological spiritual sense; suffered sense would.5 7 conclude discriminate action, conduct, demeanor theirs6 possibly relevant harm was mother.7 Reversed. 'Every act whatever man causes another obliges him by whose fault happened repair it. 'The recover property caused offense quasi which, obligee, inherited legal, instituted, irregular heirs, community surviving spouse. offense, if injured person dies, shall survive period one year deceased favor of: spouse deceased, either such children; father left surviving; (3) brothers sisters spouse, child, surviving. survivors this survives also through deceased. A provisions paragraph survivor survived, suit instituted thereon not. 'As used article, words 'child,' 'brother,' 'sister,' 'father,' 'mother' include brother, sister, father, adoption, respectively.' exceptions relating Charity Hospital, treated, continued indefinitely. No taken respect defendants. Note, Rights Illegitimates Under Federal Statutes, 76 Harv.L.Rev. 337 (1962). 'deny jurisdiction equal protection laws.' law parents duty children. La.Civ.Code Arts. 239, 240 (1952). say Shakespeare: 'Why bastard, wherefore base? my dimensions well compact, My mind generous, shape true, As honest madam's issue? brand us With baseness? bastardy? base, base?' King Lear, Act I, Scene 2. Louisiana's Workmen's Compensation (La.Rev.Stat.Ann. 23:1231, 23:1252, 23:1253 (1964)) member parent's family, compensation death. Thompson Vestal Lumber Mfg. Co., 208 83, 22 842 (1945). Employers entitled wrongdoer workmen's payments make deceased's Commissioners, etc. City 223 199, 65 313 (1953); Thomas Matthews 201 357 (Ct.App.La.1967).

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