Divorces can be difficult, especially when it comes to dividing assets like homes and belongings.
In a surprising case, a man named Dr. Richard Batista went a step further and demanded his kidney back from his wife, Dawnell, after they got divorced, as reported by Indy100.
Dr. Batista claimed that his marriage was already troubled due to his wife’s health issues. Despite this, he had donated his kidney to her to save her life, hoping it would also improve their marriage. However, even though the kidney transplant was successful and saved Dawnell’s life, it couldn’t salvage their relationship, leading to a divorce in 2005.
Following the divorce, Dr. Batista accused his ex-wife of infidelity and demanded either the return of his kidney or £1.2 million in compensation. However, his request was rejected on medical grounds.
Medical ethicist Robert Veatch explained that once the kidney is transplanted, it becomes the recipient’s property. Removing it would harm her, requiring her to go on dialysis or risking her life.
The Nassau County Supreme Court dismissed Dr. Batista’s demand, stating that the kidney was a gift, and attempting to extract compensation could lead to legal consequences. Matrimonial referee Jeffrey Grob emphasized that pursuing monetary compensation could violate the law and even result in criminal prosecution.