Who Is Donald Cline?
Donald Cline is a former fertility doctor who practiced in Indianapolis from the late ’70s until his retirement in 2009. Donald Cline secretly, and without consent, used his own sperm to inseminate many of his patients and has thus fathered more than 90 known children. His conduct was the subject of the Netflix documentary, Our Father.
If you or a loved one have been affected by the practices of former fertility doctor Donald Cline, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers.
How Was Donald Cline’s Conduct Discovered?
Donald Cline’s conduct came to light after Jacoba Ballard, who knew she had been conceived using donor sperm, took an at-home DNA test in 2014. The results connected her to several previously unknown half-siblings. Because their mothers had all received fertility treatment from Cline, the growing number of genetic matches raised concerns that the same person had fathered them.
Ballard and other donor-conceived individuals compared their DNA results and researched their family connections. Their findings ultimately pointed to Cline as their biological father. Ballard then filed a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, prompting an investigation.
Cline initially denied using his own sperm to inseminate patients. However, DNA testing supported the allegations, and investigators determined that he had made false statements during the inquiry. He later pleaded guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice for lying to investigators—not for the inseminations themselves, which were not specifically prohibited under Indiana law at the time.
What Is Known About the Donald Cline Lawsuits?
Only a few medical malpractice cases have been filed and resolved against Donald Cline and his medical group. The cases are civil cases, meaning the individuals have sought civil damages, or compensation, for the injuries suffered as a result of the doctor’s conduct.
There are likely many more civil cases that can, and will, be pursued against Donald Cline.
How Did the Cline Cases Affect Indiana Law and Fertility Fraud Legislation?
The cases involving Donald Cline exposed a major gap in Indiana law. At the time of his conduct, the state did not have a criminal statute specifically prohibiting a fertility doctor from using reproductive material without a patient’s knowledge or consent. As a result, prosecutors charged Cline with obstruction of justice for lying to investigators rather than for the inseminations themselves.
After Cline’s former patients and biological children advocated for legislative reform, Indiana enacted a fertility fraud law in 2019 that created a civil cause of action for patients and children affected by fertility fraud. Successful plaintiffs may seek compensatory and punitive damages or statutory damages of $10,000, depending on the circumstances. It also increased the criminal penalty for deception involving human reproductive material to a Level 6 felony.
The law took effect on July 1, 2019, but it does not apply retroactively to conduct that occurred before its enactment. Therefore, it could not be used to prosecute Cline for the procedures he performed decades earlier. Even so, the Cline cases helped establish a legal framework for addressing future fertility fraud and contributed to broader efforts in other states to regulate deceptive practices involving assisted reproduction.
Fertility Malpractice Claims in Indiana
Fertility malpractice claims may arise when a fertility provider fails to obtain informed consent, misrepresents the source of reproductive material, or otherwise departs from accepted medical standards. Generally, the statute of limitations for civil medical malpractice cases in Indiana is two years from the date of the malpractice. However, if an exception applies, the individual generally may have a longer period of time to file a civil lawsuit.
Depending on the facts, an affected patient or child may also have a separate claim under Indiana’s civil fertility fraud law, which provides longer filing periods than ordinary medical malpractice claims in some circumstances.
Because the applicable deadline can depend on the type of claim, the date of discovery, and the person bringing the case, anyone who suspects fertility fraud or malpractice should speak with an attorney promptly.
Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers Attorney Discusses the Cline Cases
Kent Winingham recently appeared on the Indianapolis news station FOX59 to discuss the cases brought against Donald Cline.
Contact Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers for Legal Support Today
If you believe you are a victim of Donald Cline’s conduct, reach out to Wilson Kehoe Winingham Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. Our team serves clients across Indianapolis and throughout Indiana, and we’re ready to pursue the justice and full compensation you deserve. Please call our office at (317) 920-6400 or fill out the form below to discuss your situation.