Court Opinion

ID: 9772978
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 17:34:15.648916+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:49.552179
License: Public Domain

GONZALEZ, Justice,
concurring and dissenting.
I concur with the holding of the majority that the statute of limitations in Tex.Ins. Code Ann. art. 5.82 § 4 (currently Tex.Rev. Civ.Stat.Ann. art. 4590i § 10.01) is unconstitutional because of its violation of Tex. Const, art. I, § 13. I also agree with the court’s holding that Mark has no cause of action for “wrongful life.” Moreover, for the reasons stated in Justice Wallace’s dissenting opinion, I agree that Mark’s parents have no cause of action for his “wrongful birth.” I respectfully dissent from this portion of the majority opinion.
This case presents some very difficult questions, both moral and legal. When courts are forced to contend with issues involving life and death such as those presented in this case, a merger of our concepts of morality and law is unavoidable.
Since the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 93 S.Ct. 705, 35 L.Ed.2d 147 (1973), we have witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of abortions in this country, all in the name of “free choice” or the “right of privacy.” Under this social policy, a parent or parents of a child are free to abort their child during the first trimester of pregnancy for any or no reason. This policy has contributed to a “disposable society.” If we do not like something, we get rid of it. Often, in abortions, this is done without regard for the sanctity of life.
Parents should not be given a legal entitlement to a perfect child. By recognizing the right of Mark’s parents to abort him prior to his birth or the right to sue the doctor and the hospital for damages due to his birth, the majority of the court approaches this entitlement. It is my hope that the courts and legislatures of this nation, and our society, will continue to ponder the meaning and value of life, even that of those yet unborn. Through this process of reflection and discussion, hopefully the pendulum of public opinion will swing toward the recognition of the rights of the unborn.
I too would overrule Jacobs v. Theimer, 519 S.W.2d 846 (Tex.1975.) I would affirm the judgment of the courts below holding that the Nelsons should take nothing.