The Connecticut Supreme Court will uphold a $34 million award to a woman who was inseminated with sperm from a donor infected with a virus that causes severe birth defects.
Officials say Yukon Health inseminated young women who were unable to conceive with sperm from donors infected with a virus known as cytomegalovirus (CMV).
The family's attorney in Connecticut said the mistake could have been easily avoided and it had “disastrous and tragic consequences.”
Aaron and Jean Marie Monroe Lynch were struggling with infertility and decided to turn to UConn Health's fertility clinic. In 2014, the couple learned that they were expecting twins, a boy and a girl.
“What would have been a moment of pure joy for most couples turned into tragedy and sadness when twins were born with the CMV virus nine months after an insemination procedure at University Health,” attorney Link Woodward said in a statement. ” he said.
Her lawyer said Jean-Marie was stillborn, and her other twin, Joshua, was born with severe birth defects, including neurological and developmental disabilities.
Joshua is currently 9 years old. His family's attorney said he continues to suffer from the effects of CMV, with cognitive, hearing and motor impairments.
The attorney went on to say that Joshua is unable to eat normally, communicate, go to the bathroom or take care of basic personal needs on his own. He requires a feeding tube and suffers from seizures, epilepsy, autism and cerebral palsy, his attorney said.
In its decision, the Supreme Court said: “Joshua is an innocent victim who has suffered and is without fault, suffering from severe physical illness and 'catastrophic neurological illness' every day for the rest of his life.” They are suffering and require continuous treatment.” care and treatment. ”
The case was heard in Hartford Superior Court from November 3, 2020 to December 18, 2020, and a judge ruled in favor of the Monroe-Lynch family in June 2021.
UW appealed the judge's decision to the Supreme Court. You can read their decisions below.
A UConn spokesperson released the following statement regarding Tuesday's decision:
“While UConn Health respectfully disagrees with the Connecticut Supreme Court's decision, our hearts forever go out to this family who have experienced the pain and loss caused by this tragic situation.”
