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Compensation for the cost of raising children born as a result of medical negligence
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September 2003
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Abstract
The High Court's decision in Cattanach v Melchior (July 2003) and some of the issues raised by this case are examined in this article. It is the first Australian case to hold that parents can claim from a negligent party the ordinary cost of raising a healthy child born as a result of negligence. The author provides a summary of this case and notes that the Queensland Government has announced its intention to change the law.
The High Court's decision in Cattanach v Melchior (July 2003) and some of the issues raised by this case are examined in this article. It is the first Australian case to hold that parents can claim from a negligent party the ordinary cost of raising a healthy child born as a result of negligence. The author provides a summary of this case and notes that the Queensland Government has announced its intention to change the law.