Cattanach v Melchior : babies, blessings and burdens

This article considers the High Court decision of Cattanach v Melchior, which permitted the recovery of damages for the cost of raising a child born through medical negligence. It discusses the reasoning in each of the judgments and seeks to identify themes so as to explain the divide between the majority and minority. It also considers the impact of legislative intervention in Queensland and New South Wales.

Outdoor portrait of Jenny Gutman (left) and Erna Strasburger with unidentified young boy Portraits Groups

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Unidentified nurses and injured World War I soldiers celebrating with champagne and flowers Portraits Groups

Handwritten correspondence on verso covered over with pasted black paper

Studio portrait of Frau Muelde Portraits Women

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Studio portrait of Werner and Hans Rath; Mannheim Portraits Family

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Henny? Beitman with a bicycle; Dielkirchen, Falkenstein, Germany Portraits Women

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Studio portrait of Uncle Loeb Portraits Men

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Portrait of young Hans Frankenbach seated at a desk Portraits Men

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Portrait of Surgeon Major Dr. Meyer of Dueren (Rhineland) in military uniform Portraits Men

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Portrait of Surgeon Major Dr. Bing of Nuernberg in his military uniform Portraits Men

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Studio portrait of Henny Meyerstein nee Rosenbaum and Harry Meyerstein Portraits Couples

Handwritten postcard from Henny and Harry Meyerstein to Hans Frankenbach

Family portrait including Elsa Fleissig nee Loewenthal, August Fleissig, Lena Loewenthal, Hans Frankenbach and Justin Loewenthal Portraits Family

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Walther Simon of Hamburg with his wife and daughter Ursula outdoors; Schenectady, New York Portraits Family

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Judge Max Frankenbach of Berlin hiking with his wife Grete Frankenbach nee Bernstein; Sassal-Massone Portraits Couples

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Alfred Falk outdoors feeding a dog Portraits Men

Handwritten on verso: fuer Hans Frankenbach