Mother accuses InVia Fertility Specialists of failing to conduct genetic testing

A woman is suing a Cook County fertility clinic and doctor, claiming they implanted an embryo that they failed to conduct genetic screening on.

Paula Pozucek filed a medical malpractice lawsuit Sept. 16 in Cook County Circuit Court against Karande and Associates, and Dr. Sigal Klipstein.

According to the complaint, Pozucek came under the care of Klipstein at Karande's InVia Fertility Specialists on July 25, 2012, when they discussed fertility treatments, and Klipstein assured Pozucek that any embryo would undergo genetic screening, including for spinal muscular atrophy.

Pozucek claims Klipstein implanted an embryo of a fertilized donor egg in Pozucek on March 19, 2013, and she gave birth on Dec. 18, 2013. Shortly after the birth, Pozucek alleges she learned her child had spinal muscular atrophy. The suit states Pozucek's child died from the disease on July 14.

The defendants are accused of being negligent in failing to conduct the proper preconception testing.

Pozucek is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and is represented by attorneys David J. Pritchard and Aaron D. Boeder of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in Waukegan.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L009668.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it only represents one side of the story.