Norvell v. Cuyahoga County Hospital

A minor child and her parents seek damages allegedly caused by negligence of the defendant hospitals and physicians in providing medical care for that child. Before trial, the court struck the parents’ claims for the loss of their child’s “love, affection, comfort, companionship, and society.” Pursuant to Civ. R. 54(B), the court decreed that there was no just reason for delay in entering judgment on that order.

The parents appeal, arguing that those claimed losses are compensable and that a contrary rule denies them constitutionally guaranteed equal protection. The ruling which strikes this…