On December 30, 2016, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the phrase “minor child” in the state’s Wrongful Death Act includes a pre-viable fetus. Justice Parker’s special concurrence noted that Alabama law generally protects the unborn from the moment of conception, and that “[t]he fact that life begins at conception is beyond refutation.” Justice Parker noted, as he had in prior opinions, that the viability standard set forth in Roe v. Wade is incoherent, especially as applied to wrongful death law.
Here is a link to an article of mine entitled “Re-reading Roe v. Wade.” In that article, I explained that Roe v. Wade, despite its undeniable importance, is an outlier in many respects. Decisions such as this help to affirm the humanity of the unborn and serve to undermine Roe v. Wade.
Here and here are links to stories on the Alabama decision from LifeNews and LifeSiteNews.