Opinion ID: 1679366
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Similar Tort Claims in Other States

Text: Recent decades have produced a variety of tort claims arising when a member of the medical profession's negligence results in the birth of an unwanted child. W. Keeton, D. Dobbs, R. Keeton, and D. Owen, Prosser and Keeton on the Law of Torts, § 55 (5th ed. 1984)(hereinafter cited as Prosser and Keeton). The various causes of actions have been defined and distinguished to help clarify precisely what issues are involved in the case. See Garrison v. Foy, 486 N.E.2d 5 (Ind.App.3d Dist 1985); 15 Loy.U.Chi.L.J. 799 (1983-84). In wrongful birth actions, parents claim they would have avoided conception or terminated the pregnancy if they had been informed of the risk of birth defects to the child. Whereas a wrongful birth action is brought by the parents, a wrongful life action is brought by or on behalf of the child for having to endure life in the afflicted condition. There is no allegation that the physician's negligence directly caused the defect. Rather, it is alleged that the physician's negligent practice or failure to properly advise the parents has led to the birth of the child in the afflicted condition. Garrison v. Foy, 486 N.E.2d 5. A wrongful pregnancy or wrongful conception action involves a suit brought by the parents of a child, usually born healthy. The parents allege that the negligent performance of a sterilization technique caused the conception of the unplanned child. Id. A study of other jurisdictions reveals a myriad of answers to the problem. The recognition or denial of particular causes of actions, and the respective reasons offered by various courts, may promote a clearer understanding of the issues. In 1967, New Jersey handed down the landmark decision of Gleitman v. Cosgrove, 49 N.J. 22, 227 A.2d 689 (1967). The mother claimed the doctor had negligently assured her that the disease contracted during her pregnancy would not affect the child. Moreover, the mother claimed that if she had been adequately informed she may have procurred an abortion. The court denied recovery finding it impossible to measure the difference between life with defects against nonlife. In addition, there were the practical difficulties of calculating damages and the fear by the court that allowing such an action would be tantamount to sanctioning abortion. Both the wrongful life and the wrongful birth actions were denied by the court. Prosser and Keeton, supra, § 55. The years following Gleitman witnessed the legalization of abortion, Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 93 S.Ct. 705, 35 L.Ed.2d 147 (1973) and many jurisdictions became receptive to parents' wrongful birth claims. Robak v. United States, 658 F.2d 471 (7th Cir.1981); Becker v. Schwartz, 46 N.Y.2d 401, 386 N.E.2d 807, 413 N.Y.S.2d 895 (1978). On the other hand, all jurisdictions that have confronted the issue have denied the child's wrongful life cause of action for general damages for the suffering of being born in an afflicted condition. [1] Finally, a great majority of courts allow recovery to the parents for their wrongful conception or wrongful pregnancy claims. See Custodio v. Bauer, 251 Cal.App.2d 303, 59 Cal. Rptr. 463 (1967); Sherlock v. Stillwater Clinic, 260 N.W.2d 169 (Minn.1977); Ochs v. Borrelli, 187 Conn. 253, 445 A.2d 883 (1982). However, the courts disagree on the amount of damages that should be recoverable. Of the courts recognizing the cause of action, most allow expenses directly associated with the pregnancy and delivery. Mason v. Western Pennsylvania Hospital, 499 Pa. 484, 453 A.2d 974 (1982); Beardsley v. Wierdsma, 650 P.2d 288 (Wyo.1982); Wilbur v. Kerr, 275 Ark. 239, 628 S.W.2d 568 (1982). Although some award child-rearing expenses, this figure is usually reduced by the benefit the parents receive by being blessed with this child. Prosser and Keeton, supra, at § 55; Second Restatement of Torts, § 920.