Tebbutt v. Virostek

Kaye, J.

(dissenting). Dismissal of plaintiff’s complaint in this instance leaves no one who can recover for alleged wrongdoing, and frees defendant from responsibility. Defendant performed the complained-of acts on a person in his care. Were the child born alive, a remedy would lie against defendant (see, Woods v Lancet, 303 NY 349). An arguably more grievous injury while the child is in útero, resulting in a stillbirth, should not go unredressed. Where the law declares that the stillborn child is not a person who can bring suit, then it must follow in the eyes of the law that any injury here was done to the mother. I would therefore reverse the order below, and reinstate the complaint.

Chief Judge Wachtler and Judges Simons and Alexander concur in memorandum; Judge Meyer concurs on constraint of Vaccaro v Squibb (52 NY2d 809); Judges Jasen and Kaye dissent and vote to reverse in separate dissenting opinions; Judge Titone taking no part.

Order affirmed, with costs.