October 6, 2025
Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court today issued a landmark decision reinstating lawsuits brought by families whose loved ones donated their bodies to Harvard Medical School’s Anatomical Gift Program, only to have those remains grotesquely desecrated and sold on the black market.
The Court reversed a lower court ruling that had dismissed all claims, holding that plaintiffs alleged “peculiarly pervasive noncompliance” by Harvard and its senior morgue director sufficient to overcome statutory immunity defenses. The Court concluded that Harvard and its leadership may be held accountable for their systemic failure to safeguard donated bodies, emphasizing that “the dignified treatment and disposal of bodies donated for education and research is an essential part of the process.”
“This ruling represents an important step toward justice for the families who entrusted their loved ones’ remains to Harvard’s Anatomical Gift Program,” said Joseph Sauder of Sauder Schelkopf LLC. “Families made these donations in the spirit of advancing medical science. The Supreme Judicial Court recognized that the plaintiffs have alleged systemic failures serious enough to move forward, and that Harvard’s reliance on a ‘good faith’ defense cannot end this litigation at the pleading stage.”
Bryan Lentz of Bochetto & Lentz, P.C., added: “The Supreme Judicial Court’s decision confirms that Harvard may not evade accountability for years of systemic failure and disregard of basic safeguards. The families we represent deserve their day in court, and this ruling ensures they will get it.”
The lawsuits stem from a criminal conspiracy by Cedric Lodge, the morgue manager at Harvard Medical School, who over several years stole and sold dissected body parts to buyers across the country. While Lodge pleaded guilty in federal court, plaintiffs allege Harvard knowingly failed to implement controls that would have prevented such abuse.
The Court’s decision clears the way for the cases to proceed to discovery and trial. Plaintiffs are pursuing claims including negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and emotional distress on behalf of dozens of families whose loved ones’ remains were entrusted to Harvard.
Read 7.13.23 Class Action Complaint
About Sauder Schelkopf
Sauder Schelkopf LLC is a national plaintiffs’ rights law firm that litigates class actions, mass torts, and complex civil cases on behalf of individuals, families, and institutions.
About Bochetto & Lentz
Bochetto & Lentz, P.C. is a Philadelphia-based litigation firm representing clients in high-stakes civil and commercial matters nationwide.
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