wrongful pregnancy

noun

wrongful preg·​nan·​cy
: a malpractice claim brought by the parents of a healthy but unwanted child usually against a physician or health-care provider for alleged negligence in performing a sterilization or abortion procedure and sometimes against a pharmacist or pharmaceutical manufacturer of contraceptives
also : the pregnancy or injury at issue in such a claim
an action for wrongful pregnancy

called also wrongful conception

Note: A majority of courts faced with the issue have disallowed damages for child-rearing expenses in wrongful pregnancy cases. It is more common to recover for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, or loss of consortium from pregnancy and childbirth.

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Cite this Entry

“Wrongful pregnancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/wrongful%20pregnancy. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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