Clark v. Estate of Rice Ex Rel. Rice

CADY, Justice.

In this appeal, we must decide if a minor child has actionable claims against a parent for loss of consortium, loss of support, and infliction of emotional distress from witnessing fatal injuries suffered by the parent, as a result of the parent’s negligent operation of a motor vehicle. We conclude the claims are not actionable and affirm the district court.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings.

Sasha Clark was a passenger in a motor vehicle operated by her mother, Kimberly Rice, in Marion, Iowa, on October 21, 1996. Sasha was nine years of age at the time. Kimberly drove the…