Medical negligence and wrongful birth actions: Australian developments

Journal of Medical Ethics

Volumn 23, Issue 5, 1997, Pages 319-322

  Petersen, Kerry ^a,b  

^a LA TROBE UNIVERSITY   (Australia)

^b LA TROBE UNIVERSITY   (Australia)

Author keywords

Australian laws; Health professionals; Medical negligence, abortion; Reproductive choice; Wrongful birth

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; AUSTRALIA; HEALTH CARE DELIVERY; HEALTH CARE QUALITY; INDUCED ABORTION; MALPRACTICE; MEDICAL ETHICS; REPRODUCTION;

EID: 0030665375     PISSN: 03066800     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1136/jme.23.5.319     Document Type: Article

References (19)

1. CES v Superclinics (1995) 38 NSWLR 47
2. In the case of Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee [1957] 1 WLR 582 McNair J ruled that a medical practitioner is not negligent "if he acted in accordance with a practice accepted by a body of medical men skilled in that particular art" (at 587).
3. (1992) 175 CLR 479
4. If the pregnancy is terminated the action is for wrongful conception or wrongful pregnancy.
5. (1979) 123 Solicitors' Journal 406.
6. See: Udale v Bloomsbury Area Authority [1983] 2 All ER 522; Emeh v Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority [1984] 3 All ER 1044; Thake v Maurice [1984] 2 All ER 513 (No 1); Thake v Maurice [1986] 1 All ER 497 (No 2); Gold v Haringey [1987] 2 All ER 888; Rance v Mid-Downs Health Authority [1991] 2 WLR 159; Salih v Enfield Health Authority [1991] 3 All ER 400; Allen v Bloomsbury Health Authority [1993] 1 All ER 651; Goodwill v British Pregnancy Advisory Service [1996] 7 Med LR 129.
7. F v R (1983) 33 SASR 189; Petrunic v Barnes (1988) Aust Torts Reports 80-147; Dahl v Purnell (1992) 15 Qld Lawyers Reports 33; Veivers v Connolley [1995] 2 Qd R 326.
8. Weybury D, Witting C. Wrongful conception actions in Australia. Torts Law Journal 1995; 1: 53-73, 63.
9. (1995) 38 NSWLR 47.
10. Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) s 82A; Criminal Code 1983 (NT) ss 172, 173.
11. Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) s 82A; Criminal Code 1983 (NT) ss 172, 173.
12. [1969] VR 667.
13. (1971) 3 DCR (NSW) 25.
14. (1986) 9 Qld Lawyer Reports 8.
15. Unreported, Newman J, Supreme Court of NSW, 18 April 1994.
16. (1995) 38 NSWLR 47, 70.
17. Veivers v Connolley [1995] 2 Qd R 326.
18. For commentary on the case see: Greycar R, Morgan J. Unnatural rejection of womanhood and motherhood: pregnancy, damages and the law: a note on CES v Superclinics, Sydney Law Review 1996; 18, 3: 323-41; Petersen K. Wrongful conception and birth: the loss of reproductive choice and medical irresponsibility, Sydney Law Review 1996; 18, 4: 503-22.
19. For commentary on the case see: Greycar R, Morgan J. Unnatural rejection of womanhood and motherhood: pregnancy, damages and the law: a note on CES v Superclinics, Sydney Law Review 1996; 18, 3: 323-41; Petersen K. Wrongful conception and birth: the loss of reproductive choice and medical irresponsibility, Sydney Law Review 1996; 18, 4: 503-22.