California rejects mishandling of donated body claim

James Conroy died in 1999 and his body was transferred to the University of California at Irvine for study under the school’s Willed Body Program.

Later, his wife, Evelyn Conroy, heard reports that some of the bodies were not properly used and thus she requested an accounting of what was done with James’ body.  The University was unable to come up with any records and thus she sued claiming negligence and fraud.

Affirming the lower court, the California Supreme Court dismissed Evelyn’s suit.  Justice Marvin Baxter wrote explained that California law does “not impose a duty on UCI to conduct its teaching and research in such a way as to safeguard the sensibilities of the surviving family members.”

See High Court Dismissed Lawsuit Alleging Mishandling of Donated Body, cbs5.com, April 6, 2009.