1110176; 1110219

PARKER, J u s t i c e ( c o n c u r r i n g s p e c i a l l y ) .
In Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), the U n i t e d S t a t e s
Supreme C o u r t c r e a t e d a fundamental r i g h t f o r pregnant women,
a l l o w i n g them t o t e r m i n a t e t h e i r p r e g n a n c i e s through m e d i c a l
a b o r t i o n s under c e r t a i n c i r c u m s t a n c e s , i n s p i t e of the f a c t
t h a t those a b o r t i o n s r e s u l t e d i n the death of t h e i r unborn
c h i l d r e n . Subsequently, Roe has sometimes been m i s r e a d as
h o l d i n g t h a t those unborn c h i l d r e n are not persons and do not
have the same fundamental r i g h t s as does e v e r y o t h e r p e r s o n ,
which r i g h t s must be p r o t e c t e d by the law. As I e x p l a i n e d i n
H a m i l t o n v. S c o t t , 97 So. 3d 728, 737 ( A l a . 2012) ( P a r k e r , J . ,
c o n c u r r i n g s p e c i a l l y , j o i n e d by S t u a r t , B o l i n , and Wise, J J . ) ,
n o t h i n g c o u l d be f u r t h e r from the t r u t h .
I concur i n the d e c i s i o n of the Court today, which I
a u t h o r e d . I w r i t e s p e c i a l l y t o emphasize t h a t t h i s d e c i s i o n ,
h o l d i n g t h a t the p l a i n language of the chemical-endangerment
s t a t u t e r e q u i r e s the a p p l i c a t i o n of t h a t s t a t u t e t o p r o t e c t
unborn c h i l d r e n , i s c o n s i s t e n t w i t h many s t a t u t e s and
d e c i s i o n s throughout our n a t i o n t h a t r e c o g n i z e unborn c h i l d r e n
as persons w i t h l e g a l l y e n f o r c e a b l e r i g h t s i n many areas of
the law. T h i s s p e c i a l concurrence b r i e f l y summarizes some of
56
1110176; 1110219
the p r o t e c t i o n s and r i g h t s of unborn c h i l d r e n i n f i v e areas of
the law -- p r o p e r t y law, c r i m i n a l law, t o r t law, g u a r d i a n s h i p
law, and h e a l t h - c a r e law -- d e m o n s t r a t i n g the b r e a d t h of l e g a l
p r o t e c t i o n a f f o r d e d the r i g h t s of unborn c h i l d r e n .
1 0
I . P r o p e r t y Law
For c e n t u r i e s , the law of p r o p e r t y has r e c o g n i z e d t h a t
unborn c h i l d r e n are persons w i t h r i g h t s . For example, i f a
f a t h e r (or, i n some s t a t e s , a c l o s e r e l a t i v e ) d i e d b e f o r e h i s
c h i l d was born, t h a t c h i l d would i n h e r i t from the f a t h e r as i f
he or she had a l r e a d y been born a t the time the f a t h e r d i e d .
1 1
1 0
The c i t a t i o n s t o s t a t e codes and cases i n the f o o t n o t e s
i n t h i s s p e c i a l w r i t i n g are drawn l a r g e l y from the f o l l o w i n g
a r t i c l e : P a u l Benjamin L i n t o n , The L e g a l S t a t u s of the Unborn
C h i l d under S t a t e Law, 6 U. S t . Thomas J . L. & Pub. P o l ' y 141
( F a l l 2011). I have not i n d e p e n d e n t l y checked or v e r i f i e d
these s o u r c e s .
1 1
See 43-8-47, A l a . Code 1975; see a l s o A l a s k a S t a t .
13.12.108 (2008); A r i z . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 14-2108 (2005); Ark.
Code Ann. 28-9-210 (2004); C a l . Prob. Code 6407 (2009);
C o l o . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 15-11-104(1)(b) (2011); D e l . Code Ann.
t i t . 12, 505 (2007); F l a . S t a t . Ann. 732.106 (2010); Ga.
Code Ann. 53-2-1(b)(1) (2010); Haw. Rev. S t a t . Ann.
560:2-108 (2010); Idaho Code Ann. 15-2-108 (2009); 755 I l l .
Comp. S t a t . Ann. 5/2-3 (2007); Ind. Code Ann. 29-1-2-6
(2010); Iowa Code Ann. 633.220 (1992); Kan. S t a t . Ann.
59-501(a) (2008); Ky. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 391.070, 394.460
(2010); La. C i v . Code Ann. a r t . 940 (2000); Me. Rev. S t a t .
Ann. t i t . 18, 2-108 (1998); Md. Code Ann., E s t . & T r u s t s ,
3-107 (2001); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. 190B 2-302 (2012); Mich.
Comp. Laws Ann. 700.2108 (2002); Minn. S t a t . Ann.
524.2-108 (2002); Harper v. A r c h e r , 4 Smedes & M 99, 12 M i s s .
57
1110176; 1110219
S i m i l a r l y , i f a w i l l f a i l e d t o p r o v i d e f o r the p o s s i b i l i t y of
a c h i l d born a f t e r the e x e c u t i o n of the w i l l and a c h i l d was
born, the o m i t t e d c h i l d c o u l d , i n many cases , r e c e i v e a share
i n the e s t a t e e q u a l i n v a l u e t o what he or she would have
r e c e i v e d i f the t e s t a t o r had d i e d i n t e s t a t e or a share e q u a l
i n v a l u e t o t h a t p r o v i d e d t o c h i l d r e n named i n the w i l l .
1 2
Some
9 (1845) ( n o t i n g t h a t "from the time of c o n c e p t i o n the i n f a n t
i s i n e s s e, f o r the purpose of t a k i n g any e s t a t e which i s f o r
h i s b e n e f i t , ... p r o v i d e d ... t h a t the i n f a n t be born a l i v e ,
and a f t e r such a p e r i o d of f o e t a l e x i s t e n c e t h a t i t s
c o n t i n u a t i o n i n l i f e might be r e a s o n a b l y e x p e c t e d " ) ; Mo. Ann.
S t a t . 474.050 (2000); Mont. Code Ann. 72-2-118 (2011);
Neb. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 30-2308 (2010); Nev. Rev. S t a t . Ann.
111.085 (2010); N.H. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 21.20 (2008) ( d e f i n i n g
" i s s u e " ) , 561:1 (2006); N.J. S t a t . Ann. 3B:5-8 (2007); N.M.
S t a t . Ann. 45-2-104(A)(2) (2011); N.Y. E s t . Powers & T r u s t s
Law 4-1.1(c) (McKinney 1998); N.C. Gen. S t a t . 29-9 (2009);
N.D. Cent. Code 30.1-04-04 (2010); Ohio Rev. Code Ann.
2105.14 (2007); O k l a . Rev. S t a t . Ann. t i t . 84, 228 (1990);
Or. Rev. S t a t . 112.075 (2007); 20 Pa. Cons. S t a t . Ann.
2104(4) (2005); S.C. Code Ann. 62-2-108 (2009); S.D.
C o d i f i e d Laws 29A-2-108 (2004); Tenn. Code Ann. 31-2-108
(2007); Utah Code Ann. 75-2-104(1)(b) (2010); V t . S t a t . Ann.
t i t . 14, 303 (2010); Va. Code Ann. 64.1-8.1 (2007); Wash.
Rev. Code Ann. 11.02.005(8) (2012); W. Va. Code Ann.
42-1-8 (2004); Wis. S t a t . Ann. 854.21(5) (2011); Wyo. S t a t .
Ann. 2-4-103 (2009).
1 2
See 43-8-91, A l a . Code 1975; see a l s o A l a s k a S t a t .
13.12.302 (2008); A r i z . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 14-2302 (2005); Ark.
Code Ann. 28-39-407 (2004); C a l . Prob. Code 21620 (2011);
C o l o . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 15-11-302 (2011); Conn. Gen. S t a t .
Ann. 45a-256b (2010); D e l . Code Ann. t i t . 12, 301, 310
(2007); F l a . S t a t . Ann. 732.302 (2010); Ga. Code Ann.
53-4-48 (Supp. 2010); Haw. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 560:2-302 (2010);
Idaho Code Ann. 15-2-302 (2009); 755 I l l . Comp. S t a t . Ann.
58
1110176; 1110219
s t a t e s a p p l y a s i m i l a r r u l e t o ownership of f u t u r e i n t e r e s t s
i n l a n d , as w e l l .
1 3
5/4-10 (2007); Ind. Code Ann. 29-1-3-8 (2010); Iowa Code
Ann. 633.267 (1992); Ky. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 394.382 (2010);
La. C i v . Code Ann. a r t . 1474 (2000); Me. Rev. S t a t . Ann. t i t .
18, 2-302 (1998); Md. Code Ann., E s t . & T r u s t s , 3-301 e t
seq. (2001); Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 191, 20 (2011); Mich.
Comp. Laws Ann. 700.2302 (2002); Minn. S t a t . Ann.
524.2-302 (2012); M i s s . Code Ann. 91-5-3, 91-5-5 (1999);
Mo. Ann. S t a t . 474.240 (2009); Mont. Code Ann. 72-2-332
(2011) ; Neb. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 30-2321 (2010); Nev. Rev. S t a t .
Ann. 133.160, 133.180 (2009); N.H. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 551:10
(2006) ; N.J. S t a t . Ann. 3B:5-16 (2007); N.M. S t a t .
45-2-302 (2008); N.Y. E s t . Powers & T r u s t s Law 5-32
(McKinney Supp. 2012); N.C. Gen. S t a t . 31-5.5 (2009) (see
a l s o 41-5 ( p r o v i d i n g t h a t an unborn c h i l d " s h a l l be deemed
a p e r s o n capable of t a k i n g by deed or o t h e r w r i t i n g any e s t a t e
whatever i n the same manner as i f he were b o r n " ) ) ; N.D. Cent.
Code 30.1-06-02 (2010); Ohio Rev. Code Ann. 2107.34
(2007) ; O k l a . S t a t . Ann. t i t . 84, 131 (1990); Or. Rev. S t a t .
112.405 (2007); 20 Pa. Cons. S t a t . Ann. 2514(4) (2005);
R.I. Gen. Laws 33-6-23 e t seq. (2011); S.C. Code Ann.
62-2-302 (2009); S.D. C o d i f i e d Laws 29A-2-302 (2004); Tenn.
Code Ann. 32-3-103 (2007); Tex. Prob. Code Ann. 67 (Vernon
Supp. 2011); Utah Code Ann. 75-2-302 (Supp. 2010); V t . S t a t .
Ann. t i t . 14, 303, 332 e t seq. (2010); Va. Code Ann.
64.1-70, 64.1-71 (2007); Wash. Rev. Code Ann. 11.12.091
(1998); W. Va. Code Ann. 41-4-1, 41-4-2 (2004); Wis. S t a t .
Ann. 854.21(5) (2011).
1 3
See 35-4-8, A l a . Code 1975; see a l s o C a l . C i v . Code
698, 739 (2007); C o l o . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 38-30-119 (2007); Ky.
Rev. S t a t . Ann. 381.140 (1999); Minn. S t a t . Ann. 500.14
(2012) ; Nev. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 111.080 (2010); N.M. S t a t . Ann.
47-1-21 (1995); N.D. Cent. Code 47-02-19 (1999) (see a l s o
47-02-29); Ohio Rev. Code Ann. 2307.14 (2010) ( p r o v i d i n g
t h a t c o u r t may a p p o i n t a t r u s t e e t o r e p r e s e n t the f u t u r e
i n t e r e s t s of an unborn c h i l d ) ; O k l a . S t a t . Ann. t i t . 12,
1147.1 (2000) ( p r o v i d i n g t h a t c o u r t may a p p o i n t a t r u s t e e t o
r e p r e s e n t the f u t u r e i n t e r e s t s of an unborn c h i l d ) ; S.D.
59
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I I . C r i m i n a l Law
There are a t l e a s t t h r e e a s p e c t s of c r i m i n a l law where
the s t a t e s have i n c r e a s i n g l y p r o t e c t e d f e t a l l i f e : f i r s t ,
c r i m i n a l i z i n g f e t a l h o m i c i d e; second, making the pregnancy of
a homicide v i c t i m an a g g r a v a t i n g f a c t o r t h a t can l e a d t o the
i m p o s i t i o n of the death p e n a l t y ; and, t h i r d , p r o h i b i t i n g the
e x e c u t i o n of pregnant c r i m i n a l s .
A. F e t a l - H o m i c i d e S t a t u t e s
In a s t r o n g m a j o r i t y of s t a t e s , k i l l i n g an unborn c h i l d
i s c r i m i n a l homicide u n l e s s i t o c c u r s as the r e s u l t of a
m e d i c a l a b o r t i o n . The m a j o r i t y of s t a t e s p r o h i b i t any k i l l i n g
of an unborn c h i l d , o t h e r than a m e d i c a l a b o r t i o n a t the
mother's r e q u e s t , r e g a r d l e s s of g e s t a t i o n a l age.
1 4
C o d i f i e d Laws 43-3-14 (2004) (see a l s o 43-3-16); Tex.
Prop. Code Ann. 112.036 (Vernon 2007).
1 4
See A l a . Code 1975, 1 3 A - 6 - 1 ( a ) ( 3 ) ; A l a s k a S t a t .
11.81.900(b)(62) ( d e f i n i n g "unborn c h i l d " ) ; 11.41.150 e t
seq. (2008); A r i z . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 13-1102(A), (B)
( n e g l i g e n t h o m i c i d e ) , 13-1103(A)(5), (B) (manslaughter),
13-1104(A), (B) (second-degree murder), 13-1105(A)(1), (C)
( f i r s t - d e g r e e murder) (2010); Ga. Code Ann. 16-5-80
( f e t i c i d e ) , 40-6-393.1 ( f e t i c i d e by v e h i c l e ) , 52-7-12.3
( f e t i c i d e by v e s s e l ) (2007 & Supp. 2010); Idaho Code Ann.
18-4016 ( d e f i n i n g "human embryo" and " f e t u s " ) , 18-4001
( d e f i n i n g "murder"), 18-4006 ( d e f i n i n g "manslaughter") (2004);
720 I l l . Comp. S t a t . Ann. 5/9-1.2 ( i n t e n t i o n a l homicide of
an unborn c h i l d ) , 5/9-2.1 ( v o l u n t a r y manslaughter of an unborn
c h i l d ) , 5/9-3.2 ( i n v o l u n t a r y manslaughter or r e c k l e s s homicide
60
1110176; 1110219
of an unborn c h i l d ) (2011); Ind. Code Ann. 35-42-1-6
( f e t i c i d e ) (2011) (see a l s o Ind. Code Ann. 35-42-1-1(4)
(murder), 35-42-1-3(a)(2) ( v o l u n t a r y m a n s l a u g h t e r ) ,
35-42-1-4(b), (d) ( i n v o l u n t a r y manslaughter) (2011)); Kan.
S t a t . Ann. 21-5419 (Supp. 2011); Ky. Rev. S t a t . 507A.010
e t seq. ( f e t a l homicide) (2008); La. Rev. S t a t . Ann.
14:2(A)(11) ( d e f i n i n g "unborn c h i l d " ) , 14:32.5 ( d e f i n i n g
" f e t i c i d e " ) , 14:32.6 e t s e q . ( s u b s t a n t i v e o f f e n s e s ) (2012);
Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. 750.90a e t seq. (2004); Minn. S t a t .
Ann. 609.266 e t seq. (2009); M i s s . Code Ann. 97-3-37
(2011); Neb. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 28-388 e t seq. (2009); N.D.
Cent. Code 12.1-17.1-01 e t seq. (1997); Ohio Rev. Code Ann.
2903.01(A), (B) (aggravated murder), 2903.02(A) (murder),
2903.03(A) ( v o l u n t a r y m a n s l a u g h t e r ) , 2903.04(A), (B)
( i n v o l u n t a r y m a n s l a u g h t e r ) ; 2903.041(A) ( r e c k l e s s h o m i c i d e ) ,
2903.05(A) ( n e g l i g e n t h o m i c i d e ) , 2903.06(A) (aggravated
v e h i c u l a r h o m i c i d e , v e h i c u l a r h o m i c i d e , and v e h i c u l a r
m a n s l a u g h t e r ) , 2903.09(A), (B) ( d e f i n i t i o n s ) (2010); O k l a .
S t a t . Ann. t i t . 21, 691 ( d e f i n i n g " h o m i c i d e " ) , t i t . 63,
1-730(4) ( d e f i n i n g "unborn c h i l d " ) (2012); 18 Pa. Cons. S t a t .
Ann. 2601 e t seq. (1998); S.C. Code Ann. 16-3-1083 (Supp.
2011); S.D. C o d i f i e d Laws 22-1-2(31) ( d e f i n i n g " p e r s o n " ) ,
22-1-2(50A) ( d e f i n i n g "unborn c h i l d " ) ; 22-16-1 ( d e f i n i n g
" h o m i c i d e " ) , 22-16-1.1 ( f e t a l h o m i c i d e ) , 22-17-6 ( i n t e n t i o n a l
k i l l i n g of a human f e t u s ) (Supp. 2011); Tenn. Code Ann.
39-13-214 (Supp. 2012); Tex. P e n al Code 1.07(a)(26)
( d e f i n i n g " i n d i v i d u a l " ) , 1.07(a)(38) ( d e f i n i n g "person")
(Vernon 2011); Utah Code Ann. 76-5-201(1)(a) (Supp. 2010);
W. Va. Code Ann. 61-2-30 (2010); Wis. S t a t . Ann.
939.75(1) ( d e f i n i n g "unborn c h i l d " ) , 940.01(1)(b) ( f i r s t -
degree i n t e n t i o n a l h o m i c i d e ) , 940.02(1m) ( f i r s t - d e g r e e
r e c k l e s s h o m i c i d e ) , 940.05(2g) (second-degree i n t e n t i o n a l
h o m i c i d e ) , 940.06(2) (second-degree r e c k l e s s h o m i c i d e ) ,
940.08(2) (homicide by n e g l i g e n t h a n d l i n g of a dangerous
weapon, e x p l o s i v e , or f i r e ) , 9 4 0 . 0 9 ( 1 ) ( c ) , (1)(cm), ( 1 ) ( d ) ,
(1)(e) (homicide by i n t o x i c a t e d use of a v e h i c l e ) ,
9 4 0 . 0 9 ( 1 g ) ( c ) , (1g)(cm), (1g)(d) (homicide by i n t o x i c a t e d use
of a f i r e a r m ) , 940.10(2) (homicide by n e g l i g e n t o p e r a t i o n of
a v e h i c l e ) , 940.04(1) ( i n t e n t i o n a l d e s t r u c t i o n of the l i f e of
an unborn c h i l d ) (2011) (see a l s o Wis. S t a t . Ann.
940.04(2)(a) (2005) ( i n t e n t i o n a l d e s t r u c t i o n of the l i f e of an
61
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However, some s t a t e s l i m i t the a p p l i c a b i l i t y of homicide
s t a t u t e s based on the g e s t a t i o n a l age of the f e t u s . The most
common age r e q u i r e m e n t s are v i a b i l i t y , which i s t h a t p o r t i o n
of the pregnancy where the unborn c h i l d i s capable of
s u r v i v i n g b i r t h and l i v i n g o u t s i d e the womb,
15
and q u i c k e n i n g ,
which i s the p o i n t d u r i n g the pregnancy when the pregnant
"unborn q u i c k c h i l d " ) ) . In a d d i t i o n t o the f o r e g o i n g
s t a t u t e s , M i s s o u r i has e n a c t e d a s t a t u t e p r o v i d i n g a r u l e of
c o n s t r u c t i o n , see Mo. Ann. S t a t . 1.205 (2000), which has
been a p p l i e d t o the s t a t e ' s homicide s t a t u t e s , making them
a p p l i c a b l e t o any k i l l i n g of an unborn c h i l d a t any stage of
g e s t a t i o n t h a t i s not the r e s u l t of an a b o r t i o n . See S t a t e v.
Knapp, 843 S.W.2d 345 (Mo. 1992), S t a t e v. Holcomb, 956 S.W.2d
286 (Mo. Ct. App. 1997), S t a t e v. R o l l e n , 133 S.W.3d 57 (Mo.
Ct. App. 2 003).
1 5
F l a . S t a t . Ann. 782.09(5) (homicide) ( d e f i n i n g
"unborn q u i c k c h i l d " i n terms of v i a b i l i t y ) , 782.071
( v e h i c u l a r homicide) (2007); Ind. Code Ann. 35-42-1-1(4)
(murder), 35-42-1-3(a)(2) ( v o l u n t a r y m a n s l a u g h t e r ) ,
35-42-1-4(b), (d) ( i n v o l u n t a r y manslaughter) (2011) (see a l s o
Ind. Code Ann. 35-42-1-6 ( f e t i c i d e ) (2011)); Md. Code Ann.,
Crim. Law 2-103 (Supp. 2011); Mich. Comp. Laws Ann.
750.322 (2004) (a " q u i c k e n i n g " manslaughter s t a t u t e t h a t ,
subsequent t o Roe v. Wade, the M i c h i g a n Supreme Court l i m i t e d
t o p o s t - v i a b i l i t y c r i m i n a l a c t s , L a r k i n v. Cahalan, 208 N.W.2d
176 (Mich. 1973)) (see a l s o Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. 750.90a e t
seq. (2004)); R.I. Gen. Laws 11-23-5 (2002) ( d e f i n i n g
" q u i c k e n i n g " i n terms of v i a b i l i t y ) .
62
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woman f i r s t n o t i c e s the movements of her unborn c h i l d .
1 6
A few
s t a t e s have c r e a t e d o t h e r age r e q u i r e m e n t s .
1 7
B. Penalty-Enhancement S t a t u t e s
Seven s t a t e s s p e c i f i c a l l y p r o v i d e t h a t the murder of a
pregnant woman i s an a g g r a v a t i n g f a c t o r t h a t may j u s t i f y the
1 6
Nev. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 200.210 (2006) (manslaughter) ;
Wash. Rev. Code Ann. 9A.32.060(1)(b) (2012) (manslaughter);
Wis. S t a t . Ann. 940.04(2)(a) (2005) ( i n t e n t i o n a l d e s t r u c t i o n
of the l i f e of an "unborn q u i c k c h i l d " ) (see a l s o Wis. S t a t .
Ann. 939.75(1) ( d e f i n i n g "unborn c h i l d " ) , 940.01(1)(b)
( f i r s t - d e g r e e i n t e n t i o n a l h o m i c i d e ) , 940.02(1m) ( f i r s t - d e g r e e
r e c k l e s s h o m i c i d e ) , 940.05(2g) (second-degree i n t e n t i o n a l
h o m i c i d e ) , 940.06(2) (second-degree r e c k l e s s h o m i c i d e ) ,
940.08(2) (homicide by n e g l i g e n t h a n d l i n g of a dangerous
weapon, e x p l o s i v e s , or f i r e ) , 9 4 0 . 0 9 ( 1 ) ( c ) , (cm), (d), and (e)
(homicide by i n t o x i c a t e d use of a v e h i c l e ) , 9 4 0 . 0 9 ( 1 g ) ( c ) ,
(1g)(cm), (1g)(d) (homicide by i n t o x i c a t e d use of a f i r e a r m ) ,
940.10(2) (homicide by n e g l i g e n t o p e r a t i o n of a v e h i c l e ) ,
940.04(1) ( i n t e n t i o n a l d e s t r u c t i o n of the l i f e of an unborn
c h i l d ) (2011)).
1 7
Arkansas draws the l i n e a t 12 weeks' g e s t a t i o n ; see Ark.
Code Ann. 5 - 1 - 1 0 2 ( 1 3 ) ( B ) ( i ) ( a ) , (b) (2009)
( c r o s s - r e f e r e n c i n g homicide o f f e n s e s ) , 5-10-101 e t seq.
(2006); under C a l i f o r n i a law, the o f f e n s e of murder has been
d e f i n e d t o i n c l u d e the u n l a w f u l k i l l i n g of a " f e t u s , " see C a l .
P e n a l Code 187(a) (2008) ( i n t e r p r e t e d by the C a l i f o r n i a
Supreme C o u r t t o mean "post-embryonic" -- i . e . , 7 t o 8 weeks'
g e s t a t i o n ) , People v. D a v i s , 7 C a l . 4th 797, 872 P.2d 591,
599, 30 C a l . R p t r . 2d 50 (1994); V i r g i n i a a l s o has e n a c t e d a
s t a t u t e p r o h i b i t i n g the " [ k ] i l l i n g [of] a f e t u s , " Va. Code
Ann. 18.2-32.2 (2009), but the term " f e t u s " i s not d e f i n e d
i n the c r i m i n a l code and has not y e t been i n t e r p r e t e d by the
Supreme C o u r t of V i r g i n i a .
63
1110176; 1110219
i m p o s i t i o n of the death p e n a l t y .
1 8
In n i n e o t h e r s t a t e s , the
murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn c h i l d can l e a d t o
the a p p l i c a t i o n of the death p e n a l t y under s t a t u t e s t h a t a l l o w
f o r imposing the death p e n a l t y where a defendant murders more
than one person i n a s i n g l e i n c i d e n t .
1 9
And i n F l o r i d a , a
k i l l i n g t h a t would be c a p i t a l murder i f the pregnant woman
d i e d i s c a p i t a l murder i f the mother s u r v i v e s but her unborn
c h i l d d i e s .
2 0
C. R e s t r i c t i o n s on I m p o s i t i o n of the Death P e n a l t y
Of the 33 s t a t e s i n which the death p e n a l t y i s a u t h o r i z e d
by law, a t l e a s t 23 s t a t e s have s t a t u t e s p r o h i b i t i n g the
1 8
A r i z . Rev. S t a t . 13-751(F)(9) ( s p e c i f i c a l l y l i s t i n g
the k i l l i n g of an unborn c h i l d as an a g g r a v a t i n g f a c t o r ) ;
C o l o . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 18-1.3-1201(5)(q) (2012); D e l . Code
Ann. t i t . 11, 4 2 0 9 ( e ) ( 1 ) ( p ) (2012); Ind. Code Ann.
35-50-2-9(b)(16) ( l i m i t e d t o cases where the unborn c h i l d had
reached v i a b i l i t y ) ; 42 Pa. Cons. S t a t . Ann. 9711(d)(17)
( l i m i t e d t o cases where the pregnancy i s i n i t s t h i r d
t r i m e s t e r ) ; Tenn. Code Ann. 3 9 - 1 3 - 2 0 4 ( i ) ( 1 6 ) (Supp. 2012);
Va. Code Ann. 18.2-31(11) (Supp. 2012).
1 9
See 13A-5-40(a)(10), A l a . Code 1975; Ark. Code Ann.
5-10-101(a)(4), (9A); Idaho Code Ann. 1 9 - 2 5 1 5 ( 9 ) ( b ) ; Mo.
Rev. S t a t . 565.032 2(2) (2012); Ohio Rev. Code. Ann.
2929.04(A)(9); O k l a . S t a t . t i t . 21, 701.12 (2012); S.C. Code
Ann. 1 6 - 3 - 2 0 ( C ) ( a ) ( 9 ) ; Vernon's Tex. Pena l Code Ann.
1 9 . 0 3 ( a ) ( 7 ) ; Utah Code Ann. 7 6 - 5 - 2 0 2 ( 1 ) ( b ) .
2 0
F l a . S t a t . Ann. 782.09(1)(a) (2012).
64
1110176; 1110219
e x e c u t i o n of a pregnant woman.
21
I f a pregnant woman i s
s e n t e n c e d t o death, the woman's sentence i s suspended,
p e r m i t t i n g the unborn c h i l d t o develop and be born, thus
p r o t e c t i n g t h a t unborn c h i l d ' s l i f e .
I I I . T o r t Law
T o r t law r e c o g n i z e s the humanity of unborn c h i l d r e n by
p e r m i t t i n g a c t i o n s t o r e c o v e r damages f o r p r e n a t a l i n j u r y and
f o r p r e n a t a l w r o n g f u l death.
A. P r e n a t a l I n j u r i e s
T h i r t y s t a t e s p e r m i t r e c o v e r y of damages f o r n o n f a t a l
p r e n a t a l i n j u r i e s , r e g a r d l e s s of the g e s t a t i o n a l age of the
2 1
A l a . Code 1975, 15-18-86; A r i z . Rev. S t a t . Ann.
13-4025, 4026 (2010); Ark. Code Ann. 16-90-506(d)(2) (2005);
C a l . P e n al Code 3705, 3706 (2011); F l a . S t a t . Ann. 922.08
(2001); Ga. Code Ann. 17-10-34, 17-10-39 (2004); Idaho Code
Ann. 19-2713, 19-2714, 19-2719a (2004); Ind. Code Ann.
35-38-6-10 (2010); Kan. S t a t . Ann. 22-4009 (2008); Ky. Rev.
S t a t . Ann. 431.240(2) (1999); La. Rev. S t a t . Ann.
15:567(D) (2005); Md. Code Ann., C o r r . S e r v s . 3-902(e)
(2008); M i s s . Code Ann. 99-19-57 (2006); Mo. Ann. S t a t .
546.800 e t seq. (2002); Mont. Code Ann. 46-19-203,
46-19-204 (2011); Neb. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 29-2540, 29-2541
(200 9 ) ; Nev. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 17 6.465 e t seq. (2009); Ohio
Rev. Code Ann. 2949.31 (2010); O k l a . Rev. S t a t . Ann. t i t .
22, 1010, 1011 (2003); S.C. Code Ann. 16-3-20(A) (2003);
S.D. C o d i f i e d Laws 23A-27A-27 e t seq. (2004); Utah Code Ann.
77-19-202 (Supp. 2010); Wyo. S t a t . 7-13-912, 7-13-913
(2007).
65
1110176; 1110219
unborn c h i l d a t the time the c h i l d s u f f e r e d those i n j u r i e s .
2 2
2 2
Wolfe v. I s b e l l , 280 So. 2d 758, 761 ( A l a . 1973)
(express statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ;
Walker by P i z a n o v. Mart, 790 P.2d 735, 739 ( A r i z . Ct. App.
1990) (dictum i n w r o n g f u l - l i f e a c t i o n ) ; C a l . C i v . Code 43.1
(2007) ("A c h i l d c o n c e i v e d , but not y e t born, i s deemed an
e x i s t i n g p e r s o n , so f a r as n e c e s s a r y f o r the c h i l d ' s i n t e r e s t s
i n the event of the c h i l d ' s subsequent b i r t h . " ) ; Keleman v.
S u p e r i o r C o u r t , 136 C a l . App. 3d 861, 186 C a l . R p t r . 566, 568
(1982) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; Empire Cas. Co. v. S t . P a u l F i r e &
Marine I n s . Co., 764 P.2d 1191, 1195-97 (Colo. 1988) (by
i m p l i c a t i o n i n d e c i s i o n r e c o g n i z i n g cause of a c t i o n f o r
p r e - c o n c e p t i o n t o r t ) ; Simon v. M u l l i n , 380 A.2d 1353, 1357
(Conn. Super. Ct. 1977) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; Day v. N a t i o n w i d e
Mut. I n s . Co., 328 So. 2d 560, 562 ( F l a . D i s t . Ct. App. 1976)
( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; La Russo v. Garner, 888 So. 2d 712, 719
( F l a . D i s t . Ct. App. 2004) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; Hornbuckle v.
P l a n t a t i o n Pipe L i n e Co., 212 Ga. 504, 93 S.E.2d 727 (1956)
( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; McAuley v. W i l l s , 251 Ga. 3, 303 S.E.2d
258, 259-60 (1983) (dictum i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Renslow
v. Mennonite Hosp., 67 I l l . 2d 348, 352-53, 367 N.E.2d 1250,
1252-53, 10 I l l . Dec. 484, 486-87 (1977) (express statement i n
d e c i s i o n r e c o g n i z i n g cause of a c t i o n f o r p r e c o n c e p t i o n t o r t ) ;
S t a l l m a n v. Y o u n g q u i s t , 125 I l l . 2d 267, 272-73, 531 N.E.2d
355, 357-58, 126 I l l . Dec. 60, 62-63 (1988) ( f o l l o w i n g
Renslow); Cowe by Cowe v. Forum Group, I n c . , 541 N.E.2d 962,
967-68 (Ind. Ct. App. 1989), a f f ' d i n p a r t , r e v ' d i n p a r t , and
remanded, 575 N.E.2d 630, 636-37 (Ind. 1991) ( a d o p t i n g
Restatement (Second) of T o r t s 869(1)) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ;
Humes v. C l i n t o n , 246 Kan. 590, 596, 792 P.2d 1032, 1037
(1990) (dictum i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Danos v. S t . P i e r r e ,
402 So. 2d 633 (La. 1981) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h
a c t i o n ) ; Group H e a l t h Ass'n, I n c . v. B l u m e n t h a l , 295 Md. 104,
117-18, 453 A.2d 1198, 1206-07 (1983) (express statement i n
c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Payton v. A b b o t t Labs., 386
Mass. 540, 559-64, 437 N.E.2d 171, 182-85 (1982) ( p r e n a t a l
i n j u r y ) ; T o r i g i a n v. Watertown News Co., 352 Mass. 446, 225
N.E.2d 926 (1967) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ;
Womack v. Buchhorn, 384 M i c h . 718, 187 N.W.2d 218 (1971)
( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; Connor v. Monkem Co., 898 S.W.2d 89 (Mo.
1995) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; B e r g s t r e s s e r
66
1110176; 1110219
v. M i t c h e l l , 448 F. Supp. 10, 14-15 (E.D. Mo. 1977), a f f ' d ,
577 F.2d 22, 25-26 (8th C i r . 1978) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n d e c i s i o n
r e c o g n i z i n g cause of a c t i o n f o r p r e c o n c e p t i o n t o r t ) ; M i l l e r v.
Duhart, 637 S.W.2d 183, 185 (Mo. Ct. App. 1982) (dictum i n
" w r o n g f u l - l i f e " c a s e ) ; Weaks v. Mounter, 88 Nev. 118, 121-22,
493 P.2d 1307, 1309 (1972) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; White v. Yup, 85
Nev. 527, 532-33, 458 P.2d 617, 620-21 (1969) (express
statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Bennett v.
Hymers, 101 N.H. 483, 147 A.2d 108 (1958) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ;
Smith v. Brennan, 31 N.J. 353, 362-63, 157 A.2d 497, 502
(1960) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; Hughson v. S t . F r a n c i s Hosp. of P o r t
J e r v i s , 459 N.Y.S.2d 814, 815 (N.Y. App. D i v . 1983) ( p r e n a t a l
i n j u r y ) ; K e l l y v. Gregory, 125 N.Y.S.2d 696, 697 (N.Y. App.
D i v . 1953) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; S t e t s o n v. E a s t e r l i n g , 274 N.C.
152, 155-56, 161 S.E.2d 531, 533-34 (1968) (express statement
i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Gay v. Thompson, 266
N.C. 394, 399, 146 S.E.2d 425, 429 (1966) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n
w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Hopkins v. McBane, 359 N.W.2d 862, 864
(N.D. 1985) ( a d o p t i n g Restatement (Second) of the Law of T o r t s
869(1) i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Evans v. Olson,
550 P.2d 924, 927 (Okla. 1976) (express statement i n c o n t e x t
of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; S i n k l e r v. Kneale, 401 Pa. 267,
273, 164 A.2d 93, 96 (1960) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; S y l v i a v.
G o b e i l l e , 101 R.I. 76, 220 A.2d 222 (1966) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ;
Re C e r t i f i c a t i o n of a Q u e s t i o n of Law from the U n i t e d S t a t e s
D i s t r i c t C o u r t , 543 N.W.2d 787 (S.D. 1996) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n
w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Delgado v. Y a n d e l l , 468 S.W.2d 475
(Tex. App. 1971), w r i t r e f ' d n.r.e. per curiam, 471 S.W.2d 569
(Tex. 1971) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; K a l a f u t v. Gruver, 239 Va. 278,
283, 389 S.E.2d 681, 683-84 (1990) ( a d o p t i n g Restatement
(Second) of T o r t s 869(1) i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h
a c t i o n ) ; Harbeson v. P a r k e - D a v i s , I n c . , 98 Wash. 2d 460, 479,
656 P.2d 483, 495 (1983) (dictum i n " w r o n g f u l - l i f e " c a s e ) ;
S e a t t l e - F i r s t N a t i o n a l Bank v. R a n k i n , 59 Wash. 2d 288, 290-
91, 367 P.2d 835, 837-38 (1962) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; F a r l e y v.
S a r t i n , 195 W. Va. 671, 681, 466 S.E.2d 522, 532 (1995)
(express statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ;
K w a t e r s k i v. S t a t e Farm Mut. Auto I n s . Co., 148 N.W.2d 107,
109 (Wis. 1967) (express statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l -
death a c t i o n ) ; P u h l v. Milwaukee Auto. I n s . Co., 99 N.W.2d
163, 169-71 (Wis. 1959) (dictum i n p r e n a t a l - i n j u r y c a s e ) ,
67
1110176; 1110219
Seventeen o t h e r s t a t e s and the D i s t r i c t of Columbia p e r m i t an
a c t i o n t o r e c o v e r damages f o r p r e n a t a l i n j u r i e s when those
i n j u r i e s occur a f t e r v i a b i l i t y , but have not determine d
whether an a c t i o n may be brought f o r i n j u r i e s o c c u r r i n g b e f o r e
v i a b i l i t y .
2 3
o v e r r u l e d on o t h e r grounds, In re E s t a t e of Stromsted, 299
N.W.2d 226, 229-30 (Wis. 1980) . See g e n e r a l l y R o l a n d F. Chase,
Annot., L i a b i l i t y f o r P r e n a t a l I n j u r i e s , 40 A.L.R.3d 1222
(1971 & Supp. May 2011) ( c o l l e c t i n g c a s e s ) .
2 3
C r u s s e l l v. E l e c t r o l u x Home Prods., I n c . , 4 99 F. Supp.
2d 1137, 1138-41 (W.D. Ark. 2007) ( a p p l y i n g Arkansas l a w ) ;
L u f f v. Hawkins, 551 A.2d 437, 438 n.1 (Del. Super. Ct. 1988)
(by i m p l i c a t i o n i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Worgan v. Greggo &
F e r r a r a , I n c . , 128 A.2d 557 (Del. Super. Ct. 1956) (express
statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Wade v. U n i t e d
S t a t e s , 745 F. Supp. 1573, 1579 (D. Haw. 1990) (express
statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; V o l k v.
B a l d a z o , 651 P.2d 11, 13 (Idaho 1982) (express statement i n
c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Lambert v. S i s t e r s of Mercy
H e a l t h Corp., 369 N.W.2d 417 (Iowa 1985) ( r e c o g n i z i n g a c t i o n
f o r m e d i c a l m a l p r a c t i c e i n a t t e n d i n g pregnant woman); K i l k e r
v. M u l r y , 437 N.W.2d 1 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ;
M i t c h e l l v. Couch, 285 S.W.2d 901 (Ky. 1955) (by i m p l i c a t i o n
i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; C i t y of L o u i s v i l l e v. Stuckenborg,
438 S.W.2d 94, 95 (Ky. 1968) (same); Verkennes v. C o r n i e a , 229
Minn. 365, 38 N.W.2d 838 (1949) (same); Pehrson v. K i s t n e r ,
222 N.W.2d 334 (Minn. 1974) ( f o l l o w i n g V e r k e n n e s ) ; Rainey v.
Horn, 221 M i s s . 269, 281-82, 72 So. 2d 434, 439-40 (1954)
(express statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ;
S t r z e l c z y k v. J e t t , 264 Mont. 153, 870 P.2d 730 (1994) (by
i m p l i c a t i o n i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; H a r t l e y v. Guthmann,
248 Neb. 13, 532 N.W.2d 331 (1995) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; M i l e s v.
Box B u t t e Cnty., 241 Neb. 588, 489 N.W.2d 829 (1992) ( p r e n a t a l
i n j u r y ) ; D a v i l a v. Bodelson, 103 N.M. 243, 704 P.2d 1119 (N.M.
Ct. App. 1985) ( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; W i l l i a m s v. Marion R a p i d
T r a n s i t , I n c . , 152 Ohio S t . 114, 87 N.E.2d 334 (1949)
68
1110176; 1110219
B. Wrongful Death
F o r t y s t a t e s and the D i s t r i c t of Columbia p e r m i t r e c o v e r y
of damages f o r the w r o n g f u l death of an unborn c h i l d when
p o s t - v i a b i l i t y i n j u r i e s t o t h a t c h i l d cause i t s death b e f o r e
b i r t h . See H a m i l t o n v. S c o t t , 97 So. 3d a t 737 ( P a r k e r , J . ,
c o n c u r r i n g s p e c i a l l y , j o i n e d by S t u a r t , B o l i n , and Wise,
J J . ) .
2 4
Of these s t a t e s , 2 a l s o a l l o w r e c o v e r y i n any case
( p r e n a t a l i n j u r y ) ; G r i f f i t h s v. Doctors Hosp., 150 Ohio App.
3d 234, 238, 780 N.E.2d 603, 606 (2002) (dictum i n w r o n g f u l -
death c a s e ) ; M a l l i s o n v. Pomeroy, 205 Or. 690, 291 P.2d 225
(1955) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h c a s e ) ; H a l l v.
Murphy, 236 S.C. 257, 262, 113 S.E.2d 790, 793 (1960) (express
statement i n c o n t e x t of w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; Shousha v.
Matthews D r i v u r s e l f Serv., I n c . , 210 Tenn. 384, 395-96, 358
S.W.2d 471, 476 (1962) (express statement i n c o n t e x t of
w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ; R e i s e r v. Lohner, 641 P.2d 93 (Utah
1982) ( a p p a r e n t l y r e c o g n i z i n g t h a t a cause of a c t i o n f o r
p r e n a t a l i n j u r i e s e x i s t s i n U t a h ) ; V a i l l a n c o u r t v. M e d i c a l
C t r . Hosp. of Vermont, I n c . , 139 V t . 138, 141-42, 425 A.2d 92,
94-95 (1980) (by i m p l i c a t i o n i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) ;
G r e a t e r Southeast Cmty. Hosp. v. W i l l i a m s , 482 A.2d 394, 396
& n.2 (D.C. Ct. App. 1984) (express statement i n c o n t e x t of
w r o n g f u l - d e a t h a c t i o n ) .
2 4
I n a d d i t i o n t o the cases c i t e d supra nn. 22-23, see:
E i c h v. G u l f Shores, 293 A l a . 95, 300 So. 2d 354 (1974);
Summerfield v. S u p e r i o r C o u r t , 144 A r i z . 467, 474-79, 698 P.2d
712, 719-24 (1985); Aka v. J e f f e r s o n Hosp. Ass'n, I n c . , 344
Ark. 627, 637-43, 42 S.W.3d 508, 515-19 (2001) (see a l s o Ark.
Code Ann. 16-62-102(a) (1) ( M i c h i e 2005) ( r e c o g n i z i n g cause
of a c t i o n f o r the w r o n g f u l - d e a t h of a v i a b l e unborn c h i l d ) ) ;
Espadero v. F e l d , 649 F. Supp. 1480, 1483-85 (D. C o l o . 1986),
c i t e d w i t h a p p r o v a l i n Keefe v. P i z z a Hut of A m e r i c a , I n c . ,
868 P.2d 1092, 1094 (Colo. Ct. App. 1994); Gorke v. L e c l e r c ,
23 Conn. Supp. 256, 181 A.2d 448 (1962); F l o r e n c e v. Town of
69
1110176; 1110219
where the c h i l d d i e s a f t e r q u i c k e n i n g even i f i t i s not y e t
P l a i n f i e l d , 48 Conn. Supp. 440, 452-60, 849 A.2d 7, 15-19
(2004); P o r t e r v. L a s s i t e r , 91 Ga. App. 712, 87 S.E.2d 100
(1955); S h i r l e y v. Bacon, 154 Ga. App. 203, 267 S.E.2d 809
(1980); Wade v. U n i t e d S t a t e s , 745 F. Supp. 1573 (D. Haw.
1990); C h r i s a f o g e o r g i s v. Brandenberg, 55 I l l . 2d 368, 304
N.E.2d 88 (1973); Hale v. Manion, 189 Kan. 143, 368 P.2d 1
(1962); S t a t e ex r e l . Odham v. Sherman, 234 Md. 179, 198 A.2d
71 (1964); Mone v. Greyhound L i n e s , I n c . , 368 Mass. 354, 331
N.E.2d 916 (1975); O ' N e i l l v. Morse, 385 Mich. 130, 188 N.W.2d
785 (1971); J a r v i s v. P r o v i d e n c e Hosp., 178 Mich. App. 586,
444 N.W.2d 236, 238 (1989); O'Grady v. Brown, 654 S.W.2d 904
(Mo. 1983); S t r z e l c z y k v. J e t t , 264 Mont. 153, 870 P.2d 730
(1994); Neb. Rev. S t a t . 30-809(1) (2010); P o l i q u ^ n v
i \ / r - , ^ ^ ^ ^ - , i ^ l r\i -NT TT l r\ " - r o c -A o / i n / - r n c T N . a i , ^ ,
i n v.
Macdonald, 101 N.H. 104, 135 A.2d 249 (1957); S a l a z a r v. S t .
V i n c e n t Hosp. , 95 N.M. 150, 619 P.2d 826 (N.M. Ct. App. 1980);
DiDonato v. Wortman, 320 N.C. 423, 358 S.E.2d 489 (1987);
W e r l i n g v. Sandy, 17 Ohio S t . 3d 45, 476 N.E.2d 1053 (1985);
L i b b e e v. Permanente C l i n i c , 268 Or. 258, 518 P.2d 636 (1974);
Amadio v. L e v i n , 509 Pa. 199, 501 A.2d 1085 (1985); P r e s l e y v.
Newport Hosp. , 117 R.I. 177, 365 A.2d 748 (1976); Fowler v.
Woodward, 244 S.C. 608, 138 S.E.2d 42 (1964); Re C e r t i f i c a t i o n
of Q u e s t i o n of Law from U n i t e d S t a t e s D i s t r i c t C o u r t , 38 7
N.W.2d 42 (S.D. 1986); Tenn. Code Ann. 20-5-106(c) (1994);
Tex. C i v . P r a c . & Rem. Code Ann. 71.001(4) (Vernon 2006);
C a r r a n z a v. U n i t e d S t a t e s , 267 P.3d 912 (Utah 2011)
( i n t e r p r e t i n g former Utah Code Ann. 78-11-6 (Supp. 2006));
Moen v. Hanson, 85 Wash. 2d 597, 537 P.2d 266 (1975). See
g e n e r a l l y Sheldon R. S h a p i r o , Annot., R i g h t t o M a i n t a i n A c t i o n
or t o Recover Damages f o r Death of Unborn C h i l d , 84 A.L.R.3d
411 (1978 & Supp. May 2011) ( c o l l e c t i n g c a s e s ) .
70
1110176; 1110219
v i a b l e ,
2 5
and 11 s t a t e s a l l o w r e c o v e r y r e g a r d l e s s of the stage
of pregnancy when the i n j u r y and death o c c u r .
2 6
2 5
P o r t e r v. L a s s i t e r , 91 Ga. App. 712, 87 S.E.2d 100
(1955); Rainey v. Horn, 221 M i s s . 269, 72 So. 2d 434 (1954);
M i s s . Code Ann. 11-7-13 (2004) (amending w r o n g f u l - d e a t h
s t a t u t e t o i n c l u d e an "unborn q u i c k c h i l d " ) .
2 6
Mack v. Carmack, 79 So. 3d 597 ( A l a . 2011); 740 I l l .
Comp. S t a t . Ann. 180/2.2 (2010) (amending w r o n g f u l - d e a t h
s t a t u t e t o a p p l y t o an unborn c h i l d r e g a r d l e s s of the stage of
g e s t a t i o n or development) (but see M i l l e r v. I n f e r t i l i t y Group
of I l l i n o i s , I n c . , 386 I l l . App. 3d 141, 897 N.E.2d 837, 325
I l l . Dec. 298 (2008) ( s t a t u t e does not a p p l y t o p r e - i m p l a n t e d
f e r t i l i z e d o v a ) ) ; Johnson v. Southern New O r l e a n s L i g h t &
T r a c t i o n Co., Docket 9048 (La. Ct. App. Dec. 10, 1923)
( r e j e c t i n g v i a b i l i t y s t a n d a r d f o r w r o n g f u l death of unborn
c h i l d ) ; Danos v. S t . P i e r r e , 402 So. 2d 633, 638-39 (La. 1981)
( a p p r o v i n g Johnson's r e j e c t i o n of v i a b i l i t y ) ; Danos v. S t .
P i e r r e , 383 So. 2d 1019, 1027 (La. Ct. App. 1980) ( L o t t i n g e r ,
J . , c o n c u r r i n g ) , a f f ' d , 402 So. 2d 633 (La. 1991); La. C i v .
Code Ann. a r t . 26 (1999) ("An unborn c h i l d s h a l l be c o n s i d e r e d
as a n a t u r a l person f o r whatever r e l a t e s t o i t s i n t e r e s t s from
the moment of c o n c e p t i o n ; I f the c h i l d i s born dead, i t s h a l l
be c o n s i d e r e d never t o have e x i s t e d as a p e r s o n , e x c e p t f o r
purposes of a c t i o n s r e s u l t i n g from i t s w r o n g f u l d e a t h . " ) ;
Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. 600.2922a (2010); Connor v. Monkem,
898 S.W.2d 89 (Mo. 1995) ( i n t e r p r e t i n g s t a t u t e s e t t i n g f o r t h
r u l e of c o n s t r u c t i o n ) ; Neb. Rev. S t a t . 30-809(1) (2010)
(amending w r o n g f u l - d e a t h s t a t u t e t o i n c l u d e "an unborn c h i l d
i n u t e r o a t any stage of g e s t a t i o n " ) ; O k l a . S t a t . Ann. t i t .
12, 1053(F) (2011), t i t . 63, 1-730 (2012); S.D. Code Ann.
21-5-1 (1987) (amending w r o n g f u l - d e a t h s t a t u t e t o i n c l u d e
"an unborn c h i l d " ) ; Wiersma v. Maple Leaf Farms, 543 N.W.2d
787 (S.D. 1996) ( i n t e r p r e t i n g w r o n g f u l - d e a t h s t a t u t e ) ; Tex.
C i v . P r a c. & Rem. Code Ann. 71.001(4) (Vernon 2008)
( d e f i n i n g " i n d i v i d u a l " i n w r o n g f u l - d e a t h s t a t u t e t o i n c l u d e
"an unborn c h i l d a t e v e r y stage of g e s t a t i o n from
f e r t i l i z a t i o n u n t i l b i r t h " ) ; C a r r a n z a v. U n i t e d S t a t e s , 267
P.3d 912 (Utah 2011); F a r l e y v. S a r t i n , 195 W. Va. 67, 466
S.E.2d 522 (1995) ( i n t e r p r e t i n g w r o n g f u l - d e a t h s t a t u t e ) .
71
1110176; 1110219
IV. G u a r d i a n s h i p Law
A l l s t a t e s -- by s t a t u t e , r u l e , or p r e c e d e n t -- p e r m i t a
c o u r t t o a p p o i n t a g u a r d i a n ad l i t e m t o r e p r e s e n t the
i n t e r e s t s of an unborn c h i l d i n v a r i o u s m a t t e r s i n c l u d i n g
e s t a t e s and t r u s t s .
2 7
2 7
See 19-3B-305, A l a . Code 1975; A l a s k a S t a t .
13.06.120(4) (2008); A r i z . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 14-1408 (2011);
Ark. Code Ann. 28-73-305(a) (Supp. 2009); C a l . C i v . Prac .
Code 373.5 (2004); C o l o . Rev. S t a t . Ann. 15-10-403(5)
(2011); Conn. Gen. S t a t . Ann. 45a-132 (2010); Delaware: Rule
1 7 ( c ) , Chancery C o u r t Rules (2012); F l a . S t a t . Ann.
731.303(4) (2010); Ga. Code Ann. 53-11-2(b) (2010); H a w a i i :
Rule 2 8 ( b ) , Probate R u l e s ; Idaho Code Ann. 15-1-403(d)
(2009); 735 I l l . Comp. S t a t . Ann. 5/2-501 (2003); Ind. Code
Ann. 29-1-1-20(b) (2010); Iowa Code Ann. 633A.6306 (2011);
Kan. S t a t . Ann. 59-2205 (2008); Ky. Rev. S t a t . Ann.
389A.035 (2010); La. C i v . Code Ann. a r t . 252 (2008)
( a u t h o r i z i n g appointment of " c u r a t o r " t o r e p r e s e n t the
i n t e r e s t s of an unborn p e r s o n ) ; Me. Rev. S t a t . Ann. t i t . 18-B,
305 (2011) ( a u t h o r i z i n g appointment of a " r e p r e s e n t a t i v e " t o
r e p r e s e n t the i n t e r e s t s of an unborn p e r s o n i n a matter
c o n c e r n i n g a t r u s t ) ; Spencer v. McMullen, 198 Md. 90, 81 A.2d
237 (1951) ( a u t h o r i z i n g appointment of a g u a r d i a n ad l i t e m t o
r e p r e s e n t the i n t e r e s t s of an unborn c h i l d ) ; Mich. Comp. Laws
Ann. 600.2045 (1996); Minn. S t a t . Ann. 501B.19 (2012);
M i s s i s s i p p i : Rule 1 7 ( c ) , Rules of C i v i l Procedure; Mo. Ann.
S t a t . 472.300(4) (2007); Mont. Code Ann. 72-35-313(1)
(2011); Neb. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 30-2222(4) (2010); Nev. Rev.
S t a t . Ann. 155.140(1)(h) (2009); N.H. Rev. S t a t . Ann.
498-A:23 (2009) (eminent-domain p r o c e e d i n g s ) ; New J e r s e y : Rule
4:26-3(a), Rules of C o u r t ; N.M. S t a t . 45-1-403(D) (Supp.
2011); N.Y. S u r r . Ct. Proc. A c t Law 315 (McKinney 1994);
N o r t h C a r o l i n a : Rule 1 7 ( b ) ( 4 ) , R u l e s of C i v i l Procedure; N.D.
Cent. Code 30.1-03-03(5) (2010); Ohio Rev. Code Ann.
5803.05 (2006); O k l a . Rev. S t a t . Ann. t i t . 12, 1147.3
(2000); Or. Rev. S t a t . 130.120 (2009); P e n n s y l v a n i a : Rule
1 2 . 4 ( a ) , Orphans' Court R u l e s ; S.C. Code Ann. 62-1-403(4)
72
1110176; 1110219
V. H e a l t h - C a r e Law
E v e r y s t a t e p e r m i t s competent a d u l t s t o execute advance
d i r e c t i v e s , i n c l u d i n g l i v i n g w i l l s and d u r a b l e powers of
a t t o r n e y f o r h e a l t h c a r e . These documents d e s c r i b e the types
of h e a l t h care the author wishes t o r e c e i v e or not r e c e i v e i f
he or she i s u n a b le t o make d e c i s i o n s c o n c e r n i n g h i s or her
h e a l t h c a r e . With a few l i m i t e d e x c e p t i o n s , however, most
s t a t e s p r o h i b i t the w i t h d r a w a l or w i t h h o l d i n g of l i f e -
s u s t a i n i n g t r e a t m e n t from a pregnant woman, r e g a r d l e s s of her
advance d i r e c t i v e .
2 8
S i m i l a r l y , those s t a t e s g e n e r a l l y
(2011); S.D. C o d i f i e d Laws 55-3-32(3) (2004); Tenn. Code
Ann. 35-15-305(a) (2007); Tex. Prop. Code 115.014(a)
(Vernon Supp. 2011); Utah Code Ann. 75-7-305 (2010);
Vermont: Rule 1 8 ( c ) , Probate R u l e s ; Wash. Rev. Code Ann.
11.96A.160 (2006); W. Va. Code Ann. 44D-3-305 (2004); Wis.
S t a t . Ann. 4 8 . 2 3 5 ( 1 ) ( f ) (2011); Wyo. S t a t . Ann.
4-10-305(a) (2009) ( a u t h o r i z i n g appointment of a
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e t o r e p r e s e n t the i n t e r e s t s of an unborn person
i n m a t t e r s c o n c e r n i n g a t r u s t ) .
2 8
See 22-8A-4(h), A l a . Code 1975 ("Advance D i r e c t i v e f o r
H e a l t h Care," 3 ) ; see a l s o A l a s k a S t a t . 13.52.055 (2008);
Ark. Code Ann. 20-17-206(c) (2005); Conn. Gen. S t a t . Ann.
19a-574 (2011); D e l . Code Ann. t i t . 16, 2503(j) (2003); F l a .
S t a t . Ann. 765.113(2) (2010); Ga. Code Ann. 31-32-4
(2009) (Form, P a r t Two, 5 ( 9 ) ) , 3 1 - 3 2 - 9 ( a ) ( 1 ) ; Idaho Code Ann.
39-4504 (2002) (A L i v i n g W i l l , 5 4 ) , 39-4505 (2002) (A
Durable Power of A t t o r n e y f o r H e a l t h Care, 5 4 ) ; 755 I l l .
Comp. S t a t . Ann. 35/3(c) (2011); Ind. Code Ann. 16-36-4-8(d)
(2007); Iowa Code Ann. 144A.6(2) (2005); Kan. S t a t . Ann.
65-28,103(a) (2008) ( l a s t s e n t e n c e ) ; Ky. Rev. S t a t . Ann.
311.625(1) (form), 311.629(4) (2010); Mich. Comp. Laws Ann.
73
1110176; 1110219
p r o h i b i t an agent a c t i n g under a h e a l t h - c a r e power of a t t o r n e y
from a u t h o r i z i n g an a b o r t i o n .
2 9
C o n c l u s i o n
The d e c i s i o n of t h i s C o u r t today i s i n keepin g w i t h the
w i d e s p r e a d l e g a l r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t unborn c h i l d r e n are persons
700.5509(1)(d), 700.5512(1) (2011); Mo. Ann. S t a t . 459.025
(2007) ; Mont. Code Ann. 50-9-106(7), 50-9-202(3) (2011);
Neb. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 20-408(3) (2008), 30-3417(1)(b)
(2010); Nev. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 449.624(4) (2009); N.H. Rev.
S t a t . Ann. 137-J:5(V)(c ) (2011); N.D. Cent. Code
23-06.5-09(5) (2009); Ohio Rev. Code Ann. 1337.13(D) (2006),
2133.06(B) (2007); O k l a . Rev. S t a t . Ann. t i t . 63,
3101.4(C) (Advance D i r e c t i v e f o r H e a l t h Care Form, 5 I V ( c ) ) ,
3101.8(C) (2012); 20 Pa. Cons. S t a t . Ann. 5429(a), (b)
(2008) (see a l s o t i t . 20, 5429(b) ( d o - n o t - r e s u s c i t a t e
o r d e r s ) ) ; R.I. Gen. Laws 23-4.10-5(c), 23-4.11-6(c) (2008);
S.C. Code Ann. 44-77-70 (2002), 62-5-504(G) (2009); S.D.
C o d i f i e d Laws 34-12D-10 (2004), 59-7-2.8 (2009); Tex.
H e a l t h & S a f e t y Code Ann. 166.049 (Vernon 2010) (see a l s o
166.098 ( d o - n o t - r e s u s c i t a t e o r d e r s ) ) ; Utah Code Ann.
75-2a-123(1) (Supp. 2010); Wash. Rev. Code Ann.
70.122.030(1)(d) (2011); Wis. S t a t . Ann. 154.03 ( D i r e c t i v e
t o A t t e n d i n g P h y s i c i a n , p a r a . 4) (2006) (see a l s o
154.19(1)(e) ( d o - n o t - r e s u s c i t a t e o r d e r s ) ) .
2 9
See 2 6 - 1 - 2 ( g ) ( 1 ) , A l a . Code 1975; see a l s o A l a s k a
S t a t . 13.26.150(e)(2) (2008) ( r e s t r i c t i o n on g u a r d i a n
a u t h o r i z i n g an a b o r t i o n ) ; C a l . Prob. Code 4652(e) (2009);
F l a . S t a t . Ann. 765.113(1) (2010); Ga. Code Ann.
31-32-14(b) (2009); Nev. Rev. S t a t . Ann. 162A.850(1)(e)
(2009) ; N.D. Cent. Code 23-06-5.03(6) (Supp. 2009); O k l a .
Rev. S t a t . Ann. t i t . 30, 3-119(3) (2009) ( r e s t r i c t i o n on
g u a r d i a n a u t h o r i z i n g an a b o r t i o n ) ; Or. Rev. S t a t . 127.540(5)
(2009); Tex. H e a l t h & S a f e t y Code 166.152(f)(4 ) (Vernon
2010) (see a l s o 166.163 (form of d i s c l o s u r e s t a t e m e n t ) ) ; Va.
Code Ann. 54.1-2 983.3(B) (Supp. 2010).
74
1110176; 1110219
w i t h r i g h t s t h a t s h o u l d be p r o t e c t e d by law. Today, the o n l y
major area i n which unborn c h i l d r e n are d e n i e d l e g a l
p r o t e c t i o n i s a b o r t i o n , and t h a t d e n i a l i s o n l y because of the
d i c t a t e s of Roe. Furthermore, the d e c i s i o n i n the p r e s e n t
cases i s c o n s i s t e n t w i t h the D e c l a r a t i o n of R i g h t s i n the
Alabama C o n s t i t u t i o n , which s t a t e s t h a t " a l l men are e q u a l l y
f r e e and independent; t h a t they are endowed by t h e i r C r e a t o r
w i t h c e r t a i n i n a l i e n a b l e r i g h t s ; t h a t among these are l i f e ,
l i b e r t y and the p u r s u i t of h a p p i n e s s . " A l a . Const. 1901, 1
(emphasis a d d e d ) .
3 0
3 0
These words, borrowed from the f i r s t guarantee of the
D e c l a r a t i o n of Independence, which s t a t e s t h a t "[w]e h o l d
these t r u t h s t o be s e l f - e v i d e n t , t h a t a l l men are c r e a t e d
e q u a l , t h a t they are endowed by t h e i r C r e a t o r w i t h c e r t a i n
u n a l i e n a b l e R i g h t s , t h a t among these are L i f e , L i b e r t y and the
p u r s u i t of Happiness," a f f i r m t h a t each person has a God-given
r i g h t t o l i f e .
75