NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, not exactly, but I didn't have room for a more accurate title.

A bill being introduced into the Alberta legislature would allow disabled children to sue their mothers for having a motor vehicle accident while pregnant.

I understand intellectually why this is happening - it's to make the insurance company pay for the increased costs associated with raising a disable child.

But it still strikes me as wrong. The bill would be penalising pregnant women for driving, for goodness sake. It does not appear to matter whether the woman is at fault for the accident. Opponents to the bill say it would open the door to penalizing pregnant women for anything that happened to her unborn child - which theoretically could have the effect of turning pregnant women into prisoners in their own homes, for fear of stumbling on a curb while taking out the garbage.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/11/03/FetusLaw_051103.html

Well, clearly then, if you have an accident that might make your child disabled, better be safe than sorry and finish the job, get an abortion. (If that's an option)

I mean, on the one hand it is a bit silly. I could sue my mother if I were chronically depressed for putting me on this depressing world against my will; I never asked for it, and clearly it's somebody elses fault.
On the other hand I could simply be gratefull I exist in whatever shape or form, and otherwise jump off the nearest building with sufficient height (although, an overdose of something is probably better, less of a mess for whoever has to clean it up).

Thread title sounds like something from Weekly World News!

In all seriousness, I can see why this bill is ridiculous, it's not exactly like these pregnant women are TRYING to disable their children through car accidents. However, I do believe that the right for children to sue their pregnant mother's on other activities that cause deformity and disability (smoking, drinking, doing drugs) would be more than acceptable, as they're dangerous activities that these women KNOW will harm their unborn children, and they proceed to do it anyways.

Accidental stuff is ridiculous. Intentional or blatently negligent stuff: not so much.

Thread title sounds like something from Weekly World News!


My bad - I thought the weirdness would drive views. Maybe not.

They go after THIS issue? What about the MUCH MORE SERIOUS and prevalent issue of FASD? It is the number one birth defect in Canada, and it's completely preventable!!! Motor vehicle accidents? Sweet jesus I hate this province!

Either this is made up, the pro-abortion people are desperate for more aborted fetuses, or someone has alot of explaining to do.

Suing because your mother was humped by someone she knew had aids(rape exception applies), fine.
Suing because your mother smoked during pregnancy, fine. I need less people blowing air-born toxins in my face.
Drugs? Already illegal whether done by man or pregnant woman.

automobile accident? Unless the woman did it to harm her fetus, it holds no water. A thimble holds more than a colander.

Thread title sounds like something from Weekly World News!

Huh...I read the title and thought 'who's Bill??' :D
It's getting late and I have to work tomorrow... I really need to get some sleep ;)

Working at a finance firm with a forte for insurance, I can say I'm both concerned and excited. Concerned because insurance companies are our friend and exited because it could mean the begining of Pregnancy Insurance.

We're in the Mon-ey! We're in the Mon-ey! Give me a rai-se! You stink-ing we-asels! Or I'll stay on N-S! and ne-ver wo-rk! We're in the Mon-ey!

We're in the Mon-ey! We're in the Mon-ey! Give me a rai-se! You stink-ing we-asels! Or I'll stay on N-S! and ne-ver wo-rk! We're in the Mon-ey!
I'm assuming that this is supposed to follow the tune of "We're in the money"? I'm having a real hard time forcing the never work part in.

Thread title sounds like something from Weekly World News!

In all seriousness, I can see why this bill is ridiculous, it's not exactly like these pregnant women are TRYING to disable their children through car accidents. However, I do believe that the right for children to sue their pregnant mother's on other activities that cause deformity and disability (smoking, drinking, doing drugs) would be more than acceptable, as they're dangerous activities that these women KNOW will harm their unborn children, and they proceed to do it anyways.

Accidental stuff is ridiculous. Intentional or blatently negligent stuff: not so much.

Often, those activities occur and do harm to the developing embryo before the mother ever knows she is pregnant. In some cases, a woman goes through an entire pregnancy, still gets her period, and is not aware that she is pregnant. Are you suggesting that any sexually active woman should always refrain from smoking, drinking, skydiving, etc. just in case?

Gee, it's a Canadian halfwit peccadillo. Sorry, not interesting. If this had been a thread about idiotic American laws, there would be more interest.

So who is Bill, anyway? One o' them there ambulance-chasers?