A lawsuit has been initiated by a couple who claim that a fertility procedure at a hospital resulted in the use of incorrect sperm, leading them to raise a child biologically fathered by a stranger. The couple, known as C.W. and K.W. in court documents, allege that they were mistakenly inseminated at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), causing the birth of a daughter who inherited medical issues from her biological father.
They assert that the error deprived them of the opportunity to have a biological child together and left them feeling constantly reminded that their first pregnancy was a mistake. Seeking $17 million in damages, the couple has filed a lawsuit against OHSU and Providence Health.
The incident dates back to 1981 when C.W. underwent insemination at OHSU, where it was intended to use K.W.’s semen. However, the complaint alleges that staff used semen from another patient, identified as R.W., without the couple’s consent. This foreign semen was allegedly obtained from R.W., who had sought fertility treatment at OHSU a year earlier.
The lawsuit accuses OHSU of trying to hide the wrongful insemination and failing to investigate or notify patients of medical errors. The couple only discovered the truth about their daughter’s biological parentage shortly before filing the lawsuit in December 2025.
The emotional toll on both parents is detailed in the lawsuit, describing the distress and humiliation endured by C.W. during pregnancy and childbirth, and the denial of biological fatherhood to K.W. The legal action also raises concerns about the child’s inherited medical issues and the lack of proper screening of the donor sperm.
Allegations include claims that OHSU mishandled semen samples and potentially used K.W.’s sample on another patient. The lawsuit contends that OHSU and Providence’s procedures were inadequate, leading to lasting emotional and psychological harm for the parents.
OHSU and Providence Health have refrained from commenting on the allegations at this time, ignoring requests for a response.