Streaming giant Netflix has been ordered by a federal court to pay $385,000 to Lori Kennard, an Indiana woman who was exposed in the documentary "Our Father" as one of the secret children of disgraced fertility doctor Donald Cline.
The court's decision shows the issues surrounding consent and privacy in media representations.
The documentary, which delves into the unethical practices of Dr. Donald Cline, revealed that he had used his own sperm to impregnate numerous women without their knowledge, resulting in him fathering 94 children.
Released in 2022, "Our Father" brought to light the disturbing actions of Cline, whose deceitful practices were uncovered when several of his offspring conducted DNA tests in 2015.
Kennard filed a lawsuit against Netflix and RealHouse, the production company behind the documentary, citing recklessness and negligence. She argued that despite assurances from the producers that her identity would remain confidential, her name was not obscured in the film.
This exposure, she claimed, led to "severe harm" to her reputation and caused her emotional distress.
An Indianapolis jury ruled in favor of Kennard, acknowledging the breach of privacy and the resultant impact on her life. However, the jury dismissed similar claims made by another woman involved in the lawsuit, indicating that while Kennard had kept her connection to Cline a secret, the other claimant had not.
The case also highlighted Dr. Cline's legal troubles. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for lying to investigators about his actions but avoided jail time.
He subsequently surrendered his medical license in 2018 and was barred from seeking its reinstatement.
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