Step Parent Donated Brothers Organs

#1 04-23-2004, 03:38 PM

What is the name of your state? Oklahoma

Let me start from the beginning...My father and his 2nd wife got a divorce, they had two kids together, my father got full custody of the kids. His ex wife remarried. My brother moved to his mothers about 3 months ago for the rest of the school year and was do to return at the end of May. My brother was killed in a car wreck less than a month ago at the age of 16, and my ex-step mother's husband consented to donation of his organs without the consent of my father who has full custody of him. My brother's drivers licence donor box was not check and the step father told all the family it was, but when we was going through his stuff and noticed his donor box was not checked. The mother did not sign or give verbal consent for this until after the fact, the day after the funeral. My question is: Did the step father have the right to consent to this and should the organ bank have asked for proof that he was able to provide this consent.....

nextwife · #2 04-23-2004, 05:29 PM

Bless you and your family for turning your tragic loss into a life saving event for many others. I am sure it will be, in the long run, reassuring to know that so many others will continue to carry on the legacy of your brother's life.

I realize this may be emotional, but what benefit are our organs to us after we die? Why not turn a loss into a life for someone?

#3 04-25-2004, 11:53 PM

It may be a blessing for the recievers however when I think of being in this situation I would be upset also. Maybe the mother or next of kin would have donated. The sad thing is that they will never get the chance to decide.The problem is if this is illegal who is the responsible party? The step-parent or the hospital for not getting proof that he was the one able to give permission? In my state we are rather funny about the remains of loved ones. Isn't there an attorney you know that can answer your questions? Both parties might be responsible. I would talk to a lawyer who does probate work. They could at least tell you who to call to find out.