Suit Says UCLA Medical School Illegally Disposed of Bodies

A class-action lawsuit was filed against the UCLA School of Medicine and others Thursday, charging that the department has illegally disposed of thousands of donated bodies since the 1950s.

UCLA responded to the Superior Court complaint, contending that the university has had a “model willed-body service” since problems were identified in 1993.

Robert Bennett Jr. sued on behalf of family members of decedents whose remains were donated to UCLA for medical and scientific research before November 1993.

Bennett says his wife, Lorraine, was to be cremated at UCLA and disposed of “in a respectful and dignified manner.” But the lawsuit charges that bodies donated to UCLA were subject to “canoeing,” which involves stuffing the body cavities of donated remains with other cadaver parts, including aborted fetuses and animal remains.

James Terwilliger, vice provost for administration at the UCLA School of Medicine, said the university now uses licensed contractors to handle remains from the willed body program.

“Anyone who is considering a donation of their body to scientific research at UCLA can rest assured that the donation will be treated with dignity and compassion,” Terwilliger said.

Bennett sued for breach of contract, negligence, fraud and several other claims, and did not specify damages. The regents of the University of California and two doctors were also sued.