Kentucky Statutes 311.7709 – Civil action for wrongful death of unborn child — Damages, costs, fees — Defense
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(1) A woman on whom an abortion was performed or induced in violation of KRS
311.7705(1) or 311.7706(1) may file a civil action for the wrongful death of her unborn child.
(2) A woman who prevails in an action filed under subsection (1) of this section shall receive from the person who performed or induced the abortion:
(a) Damages in an amount equal to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or an amount determined by the trier of fact after consideration of the evidence at the mother’s election at any time prior to final judgment subject to the same defenses and requirements of proof, except any requirement of live birth, as would apply to a suit for the wrongful death of a child who had been born alive; and
(b) Court costs and reasonable attorney‘s fees.
(3) A determination that KRS § 311.7705(1) or 311.7706(1) is unconstitutional shall be a defense to an action filed under subsection (1) of this section alleging that the defendant violated the subsection that was determined to be unconstitutional.
(4) If the defendant in an action filed under subsection (1) of this section prevails and:
(a) The court finds that the commencement of the action constitutes frivolous conduct;
(b) The court’s finding in paragraph (a) of this subsection is not based on that court or another court determining that KRS § 311.7705(1) or 311.7706(1) is unconstitutional; and
(c) The court finds that the defendant was adversely affected by the frivolous conduct;
the court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees to the defendant.
Effective:March 15, 2019
History: Created 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 20, sec. 9, effective March 15, 2019.
311.7705(1) or 311.7706(1) may file a civil action for the wrongful death of her unborn child.
Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 311.7709
- Action: includes all proceedings in any court of this state. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
- Attorney: means attorney-at-law. See Kentucky Statutes 446.010
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
(2) A woman who prevails in an action filed under subsection (1) of this section shall receive from the person who performed or induced the abortion:
(a) Damages in an amount equal to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or an amount determined by the trier of fact after consideration of the evidence at the mother’s election at any time prior to final judgment subject to the same defenses and requirements of proof, except any requirement of live birth, as would apply to a suit for the wrongful death of a child who had been born alive; and
(b) Court costs and reasonable attorney‘s fees.
(3) A determination that KRS § 311.7705(1) or 311.7706(1) is unconstitutional shall be a defense to an action filed under subsection (1) of this section alleging that the defendant violated the subsection that was determined to be unconstitutional.
(4) If the defendant in an action filed under subsection (1) of this section prevails and:
(a) The court finds that the commencement of the action constitutes frivolous conduct;
(b) The court’s finding in paragraph (a) of this subsection is not based on that court or another court determining that KRS § 311.7705(1) or 311.7706(1) is unconstitutional; and
(c) The court finds that the defendant was adversely affected by the frivolous conduct;
the court shall award reasonable attorney’s fees to the defendant.
Effective:March 15, 2019
History: Created 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 20, sec. 9, effective March 15, 2019.