Coroner Accidentally Cremated Wrong Person With Similar Name

When we lose a loved one, we expect their remains to be handled with care and dignity. This was not the case of a 26-year-old man whose remains were mistakenly cremated by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. The remains were confused with those of another man with the same name.

In these cases, the family members of the deceased may have certain legal rights. As such, you should immediately consult with an experienced attorney to protect your legal rights.

The Facts

Jorge Hernandez died of a drug overdose on October 7^th. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office picked up his body from Glendale Adventist Medical Center to determine the cause. The family started to plan his funeral and private viewing. The plans were cut short when the coroner’s officials called the family to inform them that their office mistakenly cremated his body.

A spokesman for the coroner’s office stated that the mistake happened because two bodies name Jorge Hernandez were at the morgue at the same time. The coroner’s attendant matched the name but not the coroner case number. As a result, the wrong remains were sent for cremation.

The family’s inability to say goodbye and bring a closure to their loss has in effect brought upon a double tragedy. Hernandez’s mother was particularly hit hard by this mistake because she was unable to see her son resting peacefully in his coffin.

Contact an Experienced Los Angeles Accident Lawyer

At the Law Offices of Samer Habbas, our Los Angeles accident attorneys are experienced in handling all types of accidents, even those involving the mistaken cremation of your loved ones. We will work hard to get our compensation for any wrongdoing and any injuries you may suffer as a result. For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our lawyers, please call us at 888.848.5084.