Which term describes a lawsuit by or on behalf of a child with birth defects alleging negligent advice caused conception or continuation of pregnancy?

• A. Wrongful-pregnancy action
• B. Malicious prosecution
• C. Wrongful-life action
• D. Private nuisance

Answer: (C)

Wrongful life action. This term describes a lawsuit brought on behalf of a child with birth defects who claims that negligent medical or genetic counseling caused conception or the decision to continue a pregnancy, resulting in the birth of a child with disabilities. It’s different from wrongful birth, where parents sue for failure to inform or diagnose a fetal defect so they could choose to terminate or take other actions. It’s also distinct from wrongful-pregnancy actions (typically related to contraception or sterilization failures) and from torts like malicious prosecution or private nuisance, which involve entirely different legal issues.