Jane England was a woman who underwent in vitro fertilization treatment before she became pregnant with triplets. The babies were delivered by Caesarian section, but Mrs. England died from toxic shock caused by a bowel complication a week later, before she could leave the hospital.

The hospital admitted liability for her death, but forced Mr. England to go to court over the compensation. After a day and a half of evidence from Mr. England and a childcare expert, the parties settled. Mr. England was awarded $1,275,000 in compensation.

The court hearing considered the care that Mrs. England would have given the children and its monetary value. Mr. England was also asked to estimate when she would have returned to work, and to price out how much she spent on clothes, her car, gardening and decorating. He had to imagine how much time she would have spent helping the children with their homework as they grew up, and how much ironing she would have done.

In spite of the award, Mr. England said that no money could ever replace a mother.

(Updated June 15, 2002)