Legal Help
If you believe you may be the victim of fertility fraud, you unfortunately are not alone. Since the first documented case, in 1884, of Dr. William Pancoast injecting donor sperm into an unconscious and chloroformed patient without her permission, there have been little to no changes in laws/regulations around donor conception. As more and more people use home DNA tests, many of us are finding hidden secrets and unethical violations used in donor conception.
We encourage those impacted by donor fraud to reach out to legal representation if they would like to further discuss their rights and options. Below you will find tips on:
- What to Know & What to Do before contacting a lawyer
- Tips for finding a lawyer and questions to ask
- A list of lawyer’s currently familiar with infertility fraud cases (in work)
Donor conception, especially with the discovery of fraud, can trigger feelings of shame and violation for many. Because of this we understand and support all impacted parties who choose to use arbitration/private mediation. However, we encourage you to consider adding your voice to the growing movement in the donor conception community by publicly sharing your story. The more visibility we give to the damage caused by donor fraud, the more we can hope to drive fundamental and wide spread regulatory changes in the infertility industry.
Finding a Lawyer & What to Ask
How to Find a Lawyer
When searching for a lawyer look for those in Personal Injury or Malpractice Litigation. Look for law firms that have a depth of expertise/partners with both Family Law, Civil Litigation, and Personal Injury. You will need a lawyer/law firm that is registered or has partners who can practice in the state you plan on filing your legal claim. Start with looking for a lawyer in the state you were born or conceived or a larger multi state law firm.
Questions to Ask a Lawyer
- What cases have you previously tried that involve DNA evidence or claims involving family relations?
- How would you go about investigating and trying this case? What are the questions that you would look into first?
- Do you have any conflicts of interest with the physician or clinic?
- What is your fee arrangement?
- How willing would you be to work with different plaintiffs in this case? Would you be willing to meet with each in person before they hired you as an attorney?
- Would you be willing to reach out to other attorneys who are handling fertility fraud cases in other jurisdictions?
- How do you prefer to communicate with clients?
- What do you think its reasonable to expect as an outcome (or outcomes) from this case?
- If this went to trial, are there particular strategies you would be likely to pursue or not pursue?
- Have you worked on a case where there has been a media relations plan? How comfortable are you working with me to handle media involvement on this case?
- Please tell me about a challenge that you’ve faced when working with a client and how you resolved it?
- How comfortable are you helping me to pursue other goals, such as changing state law?
Lawyers
Driskell, Fitz-Gerald, & Ray
Driskell, Fitz-Gerald, & Ray
Driskell, Fitz-Gerald, & Ray
Providing aggressive, ethical, and efficient legal representation in Denver and throughout Colorado.
Gravel & Shea
Driskell, Fitz-Gerald, & Ray
Driskell, Fitz-Gerald, & Ray
As one of Vermont’s premier law firms, Gravel & Shea is committed to helping you achieve your goals.
Mazie Slater Katz Freeman
Driskell, Fitz-Gerald, & Ray
Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway
Nationally-recognized as one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the country. Comprised of an aggressive team of personal injury lawyers, based in New Jersey and the NY Metro Area
Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway
Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway
Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway
Providing first-class legal representation to clients who seek to recover for injuries suffered at the hands of others.
Vorzimer/Masserman
Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway
Vorzimer/Masserman
Serving high-profile clients from all over the United States and around the world, our reputation for providing discrete and highly competent legal counsel, has made VM the go-to attorneys in a range of sensitive legal issues surrounding family and reproductive law.
Hersh & Hersh
Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane & Conway
Vorzimer/Masserman
We offer creative and aggressive representation from the moment a case comes to our office through trial and appeal. Based in San Francisco, California.