This is very complicated because English law does not award compensation for the general costs of raising a healthy child.
However, when there is a “Wrongful Birth” claim and the child is born with Disabilities, parents can claim compensation to cover the additional costs of raising a disabled child. Therefore, the sorts of compensation that can be claimed are as follows:
- Medical and care costs
- Specialist equipment and home adaptations
- Loss of earnings due to caring responsibilities
- Emotional distress and psychiatric injury
For Failed Sterilisation Claims you cannot claim the costs of raising a healthy child. You can only recover compensation for any additional costs of having a child you would not have had. These might include:
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress caused by an unwanted pregnancy/birth.
- The costs of the pregnancy, including medical expenses.
- Loss of earnings for time off work due to pregnancy and birth.
- The cost and distress of having to undergo a further sterilisation procedure.