Overview

• The Supreme Judicial Court reversed a prior dismissal under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, holding that the families adequately alleged a lack of good faith.
• Claims will proceed against Harvard and Anatomical Gift Program director Mark Cicchetti, while lawsuits against manager Tracey Fay are ended.
• Justices cited alleged oversight failures, including missing controls, outsiders brought into the morgue to buy parts, and removal of remains over several years.
• The court said Harvard should have been on notice due to a similar UCLA case and red flags such as Cedric Lodge’s “Grim Reaper” license plate.
• Twelve lawsuits by 47 relatives move forward as Cedric Lodge awaits sentencing after a May guilty plea to transporting stolen goods, and his wife previously pleaded guilty.