A lawsuit has been initiated by a couple who claim that hospital personnel mistakenly used the wrong sperm during a fertility procedure, resulting in them raising a child who is biologically unrelated to them. The couple, identified as C.W. and K.W., allege that they were improperly inseminated at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), leading to the birth of a daughter who has inherited medical issues from her biological father.
The couple asserts that the error deprived them of the opportunity to conceive a child together and left them constantly reminded that their first pregnancy was a result of a mishap. They are seeking $17 million in damages from OHSU and Providence Health for the emotional distress and challenges they have faced due to the situation.
According to the legal claim, C.W. underwent an insemination procedure in 1981 at OHSU, where staff mistakenly used semen from another patient, identified as R.W., without the couple’s knowledge or consent. The lawsuit accuses OHSU of trying to hide the mistake and failing to properly handle the situation after being informed of the error.
The couple only discovered the truth about their daughter’s paternity shortly before filing the lawsuit. The legal document highlights the emotional turmoil experienced by both parents, with C.W. enduring the physical and emotional toll of carrying and delivering a child conceived through the incorrect use of sperm, while K.W. was denied the chance to be a biological father and create life with his wife.
Moreover, the lawsuit raises concerns about the lack of proper screening of the donor sperm, potentially exposing the mother and child to communicable diseases. The couple also accuses OHSU of not adequately addressing the incident and failing to notify other potentially affected patients.
The parents claim to have suffered long-term emotional and psychological harm as a result of the alleged negligence. OHSU and Providence Health have refrained from commenting on the allegations and have not responded to requests for input.