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.

Dictionary Entries Near wrongful pregnancy

Cite this Entry

“Wrongful pregnancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/wrongful%20pregnancy. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!