Opinion ID: 2104591
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Heading: The problem presented is one of statutory construction.

Text: Code section 4.2 provides: The rule of the common law, that statutes in derogation thereof are to be strictly construed, has no application to this code. Its provisions and all proceedings under it shall be liberally construed with a view to promote its objects and assist the parties in obtaining justice. The act in question became effective July 4, 1965. It served to amend section 613.11, Code, 1962. Now identified as section 613.15, Code, 1966, the law as last amended is as follows: In any action for damages because of the wrongful or negligent injury or death of a woman, there shall be no disabilities or restrictions, and recovery may be had on account thereof in the same manner as in cases of damage because of the wrongful or negligent injury or death of a man. In addition she, or her administrator for her estate, may recover for physician's services, nursing and hospital expense, and in the case of both women and men, such person, or the appropriate administrator, may recover the value of services and support as spouse or parent or both, as the case may be, in such sum as the jury deems proper; provided, however, recovery for these elements of damage may not be had by the spouse and children, as such, of any person who, or whose administrator, is entitled to recover same. For convenience and brevity the amendatory provisions are denoted by emphasis supplied. Prior to this last statutory change the measure of damage for wrongful death of a man was the present worth or value of the estate he could reasonably be expected to have accumulated from date of death to the end of his natural lifetime had he lived, enlarged to include damages for the death, plus interest on funeral expenses. Wendelin v. Russell, Iowa, 147 N.W.2d 188, 191, and Fitzgerald v. Hale, 247 Iowa 1194, 1196-1205, 78 N.W.2d 509. For the wrongful death of a woman the same standard applied with additional right of recovery for the present value of her services as a wife or mother or both. The law, as amended by the Sixty-First General Assembly, served to provide the same measure of damages for wrongful or negligent injury or death of a man or woman, once more expanded to include present worth or the value of their respective services and support as a spouse or parent or both. For an informative discussion of the subject see the articles in 15 Drake L.Rev. 107; 5 Drake L.Rev. 98; 48 Iowa L.Rev. 666; and 39 Iowa L.Rev. 494. In connection with wrongful or negligent death of any person section 336, chapter 326, Laws of the Sixtieth General Assembly, now identified as section 633.336, Code, 1966, provides: When a wrongful act produces death, damages recovered therefor shall be disposed of as personal property belonging to the estate of the deceased, but if the deceased leaves a spouse, child, or parent, it shall not be liable for the payment of debts of the estate, except debts and charges of the first, second, third and fifth classes. These italicized words were added by the Sixty-First General Assembly, section 25, chapter 432. This is in substance a recodification of section 635.9, Code, 1962, with limited exceptions added. Furthermore our survival acts, Code sections 611.20 and 611.22 remain and are in full effect.