False paternity tests cost more than money

On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Paternity/Child Support on Thursday, August 20, 2015.

One Missouri man, as well as a mother and her son, have filed a lawsuit after discovering that he is not the father of the boy — 20 years after the son was born. A short time after the child was born, the mother ordered a paternity test from a local laboratory. That lab concluded with 99.6 percent certainty that the man was indeed the father. For the last two decades, the man felt unsettled, knowing the truth deep within and waiting to finally receive the right answers.

After moving to a new state, the man paid tens of thousands in child support funds. At one point, he fell behind in his payments, and the price rose beyond just money. He soon found himself behind bars in a state penitentiary due to failure to pay child support. A popular reality television show soon heard about the case and decided to investigate.

The show had a new paternity test performed and, in August of 2013, the truth was finally exposed: The initial paternity test was false and the man was not the father of the child. All three, man, mother and son are now suing the laboratory corporation for social and emotional damages due to a breach in contract which led to the false paternity test.

A false paternity test can cost far more than money. Over time, jail and other consequences become very real repercussions. Anyone who has been victimized due to a false test result may benefit from seeking the advice of an experienced attorney.

Source: Riverfront Times, “Missourians Sue Lab for Apparent Paternity Test Error that Cost Man 30k and Jail Time,” Nicholas Phillips, August 12, 2015

Related Posts