Posted on 05/12/2025 12:31:47 PM PDT by Morgana
In one of the worst wrongful birth lawsuits in history, the parents of a daughter with cystic fibrosis have won $2 million in a lawsuit against their OBGYN, claiming their daughter’s disability prevents them from enjoying their lives.
A Connecticut couple won a $2 million settlement in the lawsuit, a case that pro-life advocates say devalues the inherent worth of every human being.
Elizabeth and Eric Trotter filed the suit in 2020, alleging that medical negligence prevented them from making an informed decision about their daughter Madelyn’s conception or birth.
Madelyn, now 6, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis shortly after her 2018 birth. The genetic disorder, caused by a mutation inherited from both parents, leads to thick mucus buildup in the lungs and other organs, requiring extensive medical care. The Trotters argued that their doctor failed to test Elizabeth for the cystic fibrosis gene during her pregnancies, depriving them of the chance to avoid conceiving Madelyn or potentially killing her in an abortion.
They claimed their daughter’s condition has caused them emotional distress and limited their personal and professional lives, a stance that pro-life groups argue reduces a child’s value to a consumerist standard of “perfection.”
From a pro-life perspective, the lawsuit raises profound ethical concerns, suggesting that a child’s life can be deemed a harm if it comes with challenges.
Framing a child’s existence as a loss undermines the dignity of all individuals, especially those with disabilities. Madelyn is a beautiful, valuable human being, and her life is a gift, not a burden.
The Trotters’ legal victory highlights the growing prevalence of “wrongful birth” lawsuits, which pro-life advocates criticize as promoting a culture that views disabled children as undesirable. In this case, the couple claimed Madelyn’s medical needs, including twice-daily respiratory therapy and frequent hospitalizations, have forced them to prioritize her care over their own aspirations.
Yet, pro-life commentators point to stories like that of Carsten Manring, a teenager with cystic fibrosis who attended a similar trial to demonstrate that the condition does not preclude a fulfilling life. Manring, an avid hunter and skier, told a Montana courtroom, “CF doesn’t hold me back.”
Pro-life groups hope Madelyn’s story will inspire a reevaluation of such lawsuits, emphasizing that every life has intrinsic worth. They argue that instead of seeking damages for a child’s existence, society should focus on supporting families with resources and medical advancements, which have extended cystic fibrosis life expectancy to around 50 years.
if they won that suit he must have screwed up big time.
Maybe, or a sympathetic jury.
the fact they got this settlement says that doc was negligent or very stupid and lazy.
Technically all those caveats about “state by state” rules etc.....all those are for a dr that worries about being negligent etc ..those recommendations might as well
be law!
This guy must have really screwed up to end up losing this case.
Dr. have to follow every possibility and more
Synpathetic juries could not go past what he did exactly to follow the law. He put himself in this position to give a law firm the green light.
That whole concept has a seriously sordid history.
Was this a jury trial. If so then the jurors should be aborted.
Wrongful birth???? That’s FUBAR
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