United Group Insurance

Iowa couple sues Omaha hospital over lost remains

News

June 23rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – An Iowa couple mourning the death of a twin in the womb has sued a doctor and an Omaha hospital for not heeding their wishes to preserve the fetus for baptism, cremation and memorial service.  The Omaha World-Herald reports that Jill and Victor McCall have sued the doctor and Methodist Women’s Hospital in west Omaha.
 
The lawsuit says the hospital and its staff violated a 2003 state law that requires every hospital maintain a written policy for the disposition of remains of a stillborn. The law also says a parent has the right to direct the disposition of a stillborn’s remains within 14 days of delivery. The McCalls say that did not happen with their stillborn, whom they named Robert Thomas. His twin, Michael, survived and is now 2.