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 biologically fathered by an unknown individual. Nearly five decades after the birth of their first child, the couple alleges that complications during their fertility treatment revealed that their child was not biologically related to them.
Identified in court documents as C.W. and K.W., the parents assert that they were erroneously inseminated at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), leading to the birth of their daughter, who they say has inherited medical issues from her biological father.
The couple contends that the mistake deprived them of the opportunity to conceive a child together and permanently reminded them that their initial pregnancy was a result of an error. They are seeking $17 million in damages from OHSU and Providence Health, as reported by Law&Crime.
In 1981, C.W. underwent an insemination procedure at OHSU’s family planning unit in Portland with the intention of using K.W.’s semen. However, according to the complaint, staff utilized semen from another patient, identified as R.W., who had sought fertility treatment at OHSU a year prior with his own spouse.
The lawsuit accuses OHSU of attempting to hide the wrongful insemination and failing to properly investigate or notify patients of medical errors after being informed of the couple’s claims. Genetic testing conducted decades later revealed that K.W. was not the biological father of their daughter, A.P., who had been raised as their biological child.
The emotional toll on the parents is detailed in the complaint, describing the distress endured by C.W. during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as K.W.’s loss of biological fatherhood and the missed opportunity to create life with his wife. Concerns are raised about the child’s medical issues inherited from her biological father and the lack of proper screening on the donor sperm.
The couple also alleges that OHSU tried to conceal the mistake and failed to investigate or notify other affected patients. Additionally, the complaint highlights the mishandling of K.W.’s semen sample, suggesting it may have been erroneously used on another patient due to inadequate procedures.
The parents claim enduring lasting 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 comment.