MARITAL-SEVERANCE: A New York surgeon who donated a kidney to his wife has gone to court to get it back after they split up.
Dr Richard Batista (49) gave up the organ eight years ago when his wife Dawnell fell ill, reports the Daily Telegraph.
But he claims she repaid his kindness by having an affair before filing for divorce, and is demanding compensation for risking his life.
“There’s no deeper pain you can ever express than to be betrayed by the person you devoted your life to,” he told reporters.
His lawyer Dominic Barbara said he wanted US$1,5 million in compensation for the kidney as part of a matrimonial break-up which has dragged on for three years.
“In theory we are asking for the return of the kidney. Of course, he wouldn’t really ask for that, but the value of it. This has never been done before in the State of New York,” said Barbara.
Batista volunteered to donate his kidney after he was found to be a suitable match.
“She was my wife. My first priority was to save her life and future of our children and hopefully with that in mind keep the marriage alive. To this day I would still do it again,” he said.
His wife survived but their relationship did not and the doctor claimed his wife had an affair before filing for divorce in 2005.
Mrs Batista’s lawyer has made no comment.
Legal experts said the case was unlikely to succeed because donating an organ is considered a gift and cannot be bought or sold. –– Ananova.
Dr Richard Batista (49) gave up the organ eight years ago when his wife Dawnell fell ill, reports the Daily Telegraph.
But he claims she repaid his kindness by having an affair before filing for divorce, and is demanding compensation for risking his life.
“There’s no deeper pain you can ever express than to be betrayed by the person you devoted your life to,” he told reporters.
His lawyer Dominic Barbara said he wanted US$1,5 million in compensation for the kidney as part of a matrimonial break-up which has dragged on for three years.
“In theory we are asking for the return of the kidney. Of course, he wouldn’t really ask for that, but the value of it. This has never been done before in the State of New York,” said Barbara.
Batista volunteered to donate his kidney after he was found to be a suitable match.
“She was my wife. My first priority was to save her life and future of our children and hopefully with that in mind keep the marriage alive. To this day I would still do it again,” he said.
His wife survived but their relationship did not and the doctor claimed his wife had an affair before filing for divorce in 2005.
Mrs Batista’s lawyer has made no comment.
Legal experts said the case was unlikely to succeed because donating an organ is considered a gift and cannot be bought or sold. –– Ananova.
