Couple Claims Fertility Clinic Lost Embryo After $70K IVF
St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis. Photo: KSDK News/YouTube
The Gormans’ IVF Journey and Loss
A Memphis couple, Mary and Jimmy Gorman, are facing a heartbreaking situation after a fertility clinic in St. Louis lost their embryo. The Gormans had invested over $70,000 and spent nine months undergoing intensive IVF treatment at the Infertility Center of St. Louis. They were devastated to learn that the embryo they had hoped would help them start a family had gone missing.
Trusting a Renowned Specialist
The Gormans chose to travel from Tennessee to Missouri to work with Dr. Sherman Silber, a well-known fertility specialist. After months of hormone treatments, they were able to retrieve two viable embryos. Their first attempt at implantation in February 2024 was unsuccessful, but they remained optimistic about their second attempt scheduled for May.
The Shocking Discovery
On the day of the second procedure, as Mary prepared for the transfer, she was given the shocking news that her embryo was missing. "I don't understand why that would happen or why it happened. They can’t answer me. They won't give me an answer," Mary said during an interview with KSDK, a local NBC affiliate.
Legal Action and Storage Facility Concerns
The Gormans have enlisted the help of Missouri-based medical malpractice attorney Josh Tolin to take legal action against the fertility clinic and St. Luke’s Hospital, where the embryos were stored. The situation has been further complicated by St. Luke’s Hospital’s recent decision to stop offering fertility storage services, transferring some of their stored embryos to a facility in Texas. The Gormans fear that this transition may have contributed to the loss of their embryo.
In response to the claims, St. Luke’s Hospital issued a statement to KSDK, stressing their dedication to patient care and asserting that they had informed patients about the storage transition. The hospital also stated that their policies on the storage of reproductive specimens are stringent and that any claims suggesting otherwise are "without merit."
Attorney's Perspective
Attorney at Law Josh Tolin expressed his doubts about uncovering the full truth behind the missing embryo. “It's a finger-pointing process," Tolin told KSDK. "I don't know that we'll ever get the truth." He added, "All of our clients pay $0 out-of-pocket costs—always," emphasizing the firm’s commitment to supporting clients during such distressing times.
Linked Source : https://people.com/couple-accuses-hospital-losing-their-embryo-after-spending-70k-on-ivf-8700978
