1990 Switched as Babies in Graz Hospital: Women Have Now Met

A DNA test provided final certainty a few weeks ago. The two women had not grown up with their biological parents. In the meantime, they have met and, along with both sets of parents, have come together, as reported by the "Kronen Zeitung." Particularly remarkable: They lived for decades nearby, in neighboring towns in Eastern Styria. The ORF program "Thema" also covered the story this Monday evening.

Babies Switched at Graz Clinic: "Deeply Regret the Mistake"

In a statement regarding the clarification of the child switch, the LKH University Hospital Graz expressed being "relieved about the clarification that has now occurred." The managing director of the university hospital, Gebhard Falzberger: "We deeply regret that this mistake happened at that time." On behalf of the entire LKH University Hospital Graz, he apologized to the affected families.

After suspicion first arose in 2014, extensive research and analysis work was immediately carried out by the LKH University Hospital Graz, as stated in the announcement. All potentially affected individuals were offered a voluntary and free DNA test. Despite these measures, the case could not be conclusively resolved. In 2018, the affected family received compensation for the mix-up as part of a court case. They are relieved about the clarification, said Falzberger.

Women Were Simultaneously Premature Babies with the Same Weight

The two women, now 35 years old, were born as preemies at the end of October 1990 with the exact same weight. They were in incubators, fed through tubes, then with bottles, and later both babies were in warming beds, according to the newspaper. At that time, there were "only" bracelets for mother and child. After the case became known, a second identification bracelet for babies was introduced at the ankle. Another measure: As soon as newborns are separated from the mother in the delivery room or operating room, an identification bracelet of the newborn is immediately attached to the warming pack, quoted the newspaper from a clinic spokesperson.

One of the young women accidentally found out at the age of 22 while donating blood that she could not be the biological daughter of her parents. This led to the search for the biological parents, which was successful a few weeks ago after 13 years: The other woman had discovered during her pregnancy that she did not have the blood type she had previously assumed.

Women Not Raised with Their Families: Compensation Claims Fought in Court

In the case of the family that first noticed the mix-up, a court case had already been conducted, which went to the Supreme Court ten years ago. According to lawyer Gunther Ledolter in the "Krone," the decision of the Supreme Court should be directly applied to the compensation claims of the affected daughter and her "parents." The ruling determined that the mix-up of the children occurred within the hospital's area of influence and that it had the obligation to assign the newborn to its biological mother immediately after birth in a manner that excluded any doubt and any future mix-up. The family received a pain and suffering compensation amount of 20,000 euros per person. Ledolter stated that it could be assumed that the claims of the other affected family would be in approximately the same range.

Legally, a lot is also changing for the families. One has already adopted the woman who was thought to be the daughter. This is likely to apply to the other woman as well. In terms of inheritance law, the actual family relationships would now have to be addressed.

(APA/Red.)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.