Belcher v. Goins

McHUGH, Justice:

The primary issue presented in this case is whether this jurisdiction recognizes a child’s claim for loss or impairment of parental consortium, against a tortfeasor for nonfatal, negligently inflicted injuries sustained by the parent. We believe the Circuit Court of McDowell County answered the certified questions correctly in part and incorrectly in part. While this Court herein recognizes such a claim by a minor child, or by a handicapped child of any age who is dependent upon the injured parent, the plaintiff here was not a minor or handicapped child at the time the cause…