Doctors can be sued for death of fetus

[lavritt]

Ala. court: doctors can be sued in fetus' death

The Associated Press

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20120518/APN/1205180952?Title=Ala-court-doctors-can-be-sued-in-fetus-death

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012 at 4:42 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 18, 2012 at 4:42 p.m.

The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that a group of DeKalb County doctors can be sued for causing the death of an unborn child. The court overruled a lower court ruling that found the fetus was not viable.

The ruling, released Friday and written by Justice Tom Parker, noted that Alabama and some other states have laws allowing a person to be charged in the death of a fetus. It also noted a previous ruling of the court found that the fetus is a separate entity and not just a part of the woman's body. The ruling came in Amy Hamilton's suit against Isbell Medical Group.

In a concurring opinion, Parker wrote that the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision allowing abortions, does not conflict with Friday's decision.

[Hallett 82]

That ruling will have a real impact on late abortion law. How confusing will it all get. A mother can decide to kill her babe but a doctor can be sued for the same death??. . no conflict there

[lavritt]

That ruling will have a real impact on late abortion law. How confusing will it all get. A mother can decide to kill her babe but a doctor can be sued for the same death??. . no conflict there

I was thinking the same thing. How can it be a not a crime and a crime at the same time?

[Blueyedchanel]

It seems to be a crime when it suites the needs of parents. On the other hand when a "parent" doesn't want the kid it's ok to kill it but a parent that does want a kid can sue. Another fine example of how human government will be unable to please all and make anything better. For every new ruling or law there's someone wo isn't happy with it.