Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Parents Win $2 Million in Lawsuit Claiming Their Daughter’s Disability Stops Them From “Enjoying Life”
Life News ^ | May 12, 2025 | staff

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.


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: abortion; culturewars; cysticfibrosis; elizabethtrotter; erictrotter; madelyn; madelyntrotter; prolife; punishedwithababy; selfish
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 last
To: vivenne

if they won that suit he must have screwed up big time.


41 posted on 05/12/2025 3:01:03 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (RINO going along to get along with)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Recovering Ex-hippie

Maybe, or a sympathetic jury.


42 posted on 05/12/2025 3:03:02 PM PDT by vivenne (7Come to think of it. Fact)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Salvavida

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.


43 posted on 05/12/2025 3:06:19 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (RINO going along to get along with)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Morgana
Read all about it in "New Folks":


44 posted on 05/12/2025 3:08:07 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: vivenne

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.


45 posted on 05/12/2025 3:08:57 PM PDT by Recovering Ex-hippie (RINO going along to get along with)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Salvavida
potential DNA issues for the purpose of weeding them out

That whole concept has a seriously sordid history.

46 posted on 05/12/2025 3:09:53 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Was this a jury trial. If so then the jurors should be aborted.


47 posted on 05/12/2025 4:39:17 PM PDT by Revel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Wrongful birth???? That’s FUBAR


48 posted on 05/12/2025 6:51:10 PM PDT by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

49 posted on 05/12/2025 7:21:22 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-49 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson