A New York woman faced the unimaginable when a paternity test error led to a life-altering decision.

A Yonkers resident aborted her pregnancy based on flawed paternity results, only to discover after the abortion that the lab had erred, as the New York Post reports.

The ordeal began when the woman, engaged and attempting to conceive with her fiancé, faced unexpected challenges. During a brief breakup, she had a protected encounter with another man. After reconciling with her fiancé and successfully conceiving, paternity questions arose.

Concerned about the paternity of her child due to the timings, she sought answers through DNA testing. The initial tests, costly at over $1,000, failed to provide clear results.

Seeking clarity, she turned to DNA Diagnostics Center and Winn Health Labs. In October, results mistakenly identified her temporary partner as the father. This led to the painful decision to terminate her pregnancy at nearly 20 weeks.

Testing error leads to tragic choice

Months later, the lab discovered the mistake due to an "IT error." The corrected results came too late, revealing her fiancé was indeed the father. This revelation shattered her, deepening her grief and leading to the end of her engagement.

Heartbroken and misled, the woman is now suing both labs involved in Manhattan Federal Court. The lawsuit cites the severe emotional and personal impacts of their error.

"My daughter would have been born on the 17th of this month," she told the media, expressing profound grief over the loss provoked by the flawed test.

Legal, emotional fallout builds

The woman's lawyer, Craig Phemister, criticized the delayed correction, stressing the dire consequences of such delays in paternity test results. "When you know people are relying immediately on paternity tests to make life decisions, why did it take four months for them to call? It just doesn’t make sense,” he stated.

The woman is also undergoing therapy to cope with the trauma. "I just have a lot of emotions. These results were the reason why I decided to do what I did," she explained, reflecting on the decision propelled by the inaccurate test.

Meanwhile, DNA Diagnostics Center defended its historical accuracy and commitment to rapid resolution of any concerns, stating, "For 30 years, DDC has provided reliable and accurate testing...We understand and appreciate the incredible amount of trust people place in us to get this right."

Consequences of decision persist

The emotional toll did not spare her relationships. Recalling especially painful moments, she described her fiancé's devastation. "He just cried," noting his disbelief and sorrow during a particularly poignant conversation about their planned future together.

The error has left permanent scars, inducing doubt about the reliability of paternity testing. "How many other people did it happen to?" she questioned, contemplating the potential widespread implications of such errors.

As this case proceeds in court, it serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of technical errors in sensitive medical testing.

Lessons to learn

This incident underscores critical lessons:

1. Always seek second opinions on crucial medical tests, especially when significant life decisions depend on the results.
2. Legal recourse may offer a path to compensation and justice, though it cannot reverse the emotional and physical outcomes.
3. It's vital to establish clear communication with medical professionals and request detailed information about test accuracy and error rates.

Despite taking precautions, remember that errors can still occur, and victims should not be blamed.

Why this story matters

This story highlights the immense trust placed in medical testing and the profound impact of its outcomes on personal lives. It invites a broader discussion about oversight and accountability in genetic testing -- a field with significant implications for individuals and families.

Moreover, it emphasizes the necessity for mental health support in handling the aftermath of such traumatic revelations, advocating for systems that support emotional recovery as well as legal justice.

The lawsuit filed by this Yonkers woman is not just about a personal tragedy but also about prompting improvements in medical test reliability and consumer trust in such services.

In conclusion, this unfortunate story of a mistaken paternity test that led to an abortion and subsequent legal battle illustrates the critical importance of accuracy in medical diagnostics and the deep personal repercussions that can result when systems fail.