Harvard reaches $53M settlement over medical school morgue theft lawsuits

Harvard class action settlement overview:

• Who: The President and Fellows of Harvard College and Mark F. Cicchetti have agreed to a $53 million class action settlement resolving claims over the alleged mishandling of donated remains.
• Why: Plaintiffs in the Harvard lawsuit allege the university failed to safeguard donated bodies, allowing a former morgue manager to steal and sell human remains.
• Where: The preliminary settlement was approved in Massachusetts state court.
• How to file a claim: Claim-filing instructions are not yet available. Sign up for our free newsletter to receive updates when details are announced. In the meantime, browse our list of open settlements to find other claims you may qualify for.

A proposed $53 million settlement would resolve more than a dozen consolidated lawsuits accusing Harvard of failing to protect remains donated to its Anatomical Gift Program. 

The Harvard lawsuit was filed by donors’ family members and individuals named as designees in anatomical gift paperwork after learning remains had allegedly been stolen from the Harvard Medical School morgue.

Plaintiffs Nicole MacTaggart and Glenn Wilder Jr. represent a primary settlement class covering family members and designees of donors whose remains left the morgue between Jan. 1, 2018, and March 31, 2023. Plaintiff Scott Cavanagh represents a pre-2018 settlement class covering family members of donors whose remains left the morgue between Jan. 1, 2003, and Dec. 31, 2017.

Under the settlement reached in the Harvard lawsuit, Harvard would pay $52.5 million into a fund for the primary settlement class and $500,000 into a fund for the pre-2018 settlement class. Each fund would be divided among approved claimants based on their relationship to a specific donor, with spouses and children receiving the largest share. 

Harvard would also deliver a webinar statement condemning the conduct as “morally reprehensible,” detail changes to oversight and security at the Harvard Medical School morgue, and establish an annual scholarship honoring donors.

Plaintiffs allege in the settlement agreement that donors and their families entrusted remains to Harvard “in the hope and expectation that those remains would be used for medical education, training, research and related purposes, and that the remains would be treated lawfully, respectfully and with dignity.”

Harvard Medical School morgue scandal traces back to former manager’s alleged scheme

The class action lawsuit stems from the conduct of Cedric Lodge, who managed the Harvard Medical School morgue from 2018 until 2022, according to Law360. Massachusetts’s highest court reinstated claims that Harvard failed to adequately supervise Lodge.

Law360 reports Lodge is serving an eight-year prison sentence after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court described his conduct as a “ghoulish” scheme to sell human remains to buyers nationwide, in some cases allowing buyers to visit the morgue in person.

The class action lawsuit resolves claims against Harvard and Cicchetti only. Several plaintiffs are pursuing separate claims against Lodge. Harvard has denied all liability and wrongdoing.

Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan said the agreement lets affected families “finally have closure and begin to heal,” Law360 reports.

Did you receive a notice about the Harvard Medical School morgue settlement? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Jeffrey N. Catalano of Keches Law Group P.C.; Shannon M. Pennock of Morgan & Morgan; Leo V. Boyle of Meehan Boyle/A Keches Law Firm; attorneys from Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah; Monahan & Associates P.C.; the Law Offices of James M. Peterson; Shapiro Haber & Urmy LLP; Mazow McCullough P.C.; Cuneo Gilbert & Laduca LLP; Sauder Schelkopf LLC; and Bochetto & Lentz P.C.

The Harvard Medical School morgue class action lawsuit is MacTaggart, et al. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, et al., Case No. 2384CV01389-BLS2, in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Business Litigation Session 2.

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