Legal Battle Ensues as Five Couples Sue Aspire Houston Fertility Institute
A group of five couples has taken legal action against Aspire Houston Fertility Institute, alleging that the facility used damaged and dead embryos during their treatments.
While four of the couples have chosen to remain anonymous, one couple, Nicole and Agustin, bravely shared their heartbreaking experience at a recent news conference. The couple embarked on their IVF journey at the Piney Point facility of Aspire Houston Fertility Institute in February.
Nicole Alarcon recalled, “We were able to successfully create 14 embryos, and we were really excited. However, three unsuccessful transfers later, one ending in a miscarriage, we were left puzzled until recently when our doctor informed us of a lab issue that resulted in the destruction of our embryos, which were mistakenly implanted in us multiple times.”
As a result of this devastating revelation, the Alarcons, along with four other couples, have filed a lawsuit against Aspire
Attorney Robert Marcereau stated, “Aspire was aware of lab issues as pregnancy rates plummeted to nearly zero. Despite this knowledge, they continued to implant dead and dying embryos into patients for up to six months later.”
The Alarcons expressed their heartbreak and disappointment, having invested significant financial resources and emotional commitment in their IVF journey. Agustin Alarcon shared, “We did everything to save that amount, each time, like she said, we sold a car. A lot of savings, pretty much our life savings at this point.”
Through this legal action, the attorneys involved aim to initiate changes within the fertility industry to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Attorney Michelle Hemesath emphasized, “It’s crucial to have strict regulations in place to ensure the safety and well-being of patients undergoing fertility treatments.”
Despite attempts to reach out to Aspire for comment, the institute declined to discuss the ongoing lawsuit.