On Wednesday, New York's highest court ruled that city medical examiners don't have to return to families all organs from autopsied bodies or even tell them parts are missing. The ruling is centered on a case that involves a New York City couple who buried their 17-year-old son after a 2005 car crash, not knowing his brain was removed. Jesse Shipley, a high school student, was involved in a tragic car crash in 2005. Two months later on a school field trip, friends of Jesse's saw his brain labeled in a jar during the trip. The Shipley's were unaware that Jesse's brain had not been returned to his body. After getting Jesse's brain back they held a second burial. Unfortunately, family attorney, Anthony Galante said that by the time the family received back Jesse's vital organs he could no longer be given a proper Catholic burial. The Shipley's sued and the jury awarded them $1 million for emotional distress, reduced to $600,000 by a midlevel court. The Court of Appeals in New York stated that there is not a legal obligation, to tell families organs have been kept and have no liability for not doing it. So in summary, if your loved one dies, the medical examiner is not authorized to tell you what if any vital organs were taken. |
Written By: Lauren B. I @laurenbeal