"Wrongful life" claims.
On 9 May 2006, the High Court of Australia dismissed "wrongful life" claims brought on behalf of two patients. One of the cases involved the alleged negligent failure by a general practitioner to diagnose prenatal rubella and to advise the mother of the risks to the fetus associated with rubella. This article outlines the case and discusses the nature of "wrongful life" and "wrongful birth" claims.
Bird
Sara
S
MDA National. sbird@mdanational.com.au
D001315:Australia; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005194:Family Practice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012409:Rubella / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015974:Wrongful Life