The Emotional Price of Error: Joel Santiago’s Landmark Case Against DNA Diagnostics

In 2018, Joel Santiago, a Connecticut father, filed a lawsuit against DNA Diagnostics after a paternity test incorrectly determined he was not the biological father of his firstborn child. This error profoundly impacted Santiago’s life, altering his ability to partake in pivotal milestones of his daughter’s early years.

It wasn’t until approximately 18 months later that DNA Diagnostics Center provided Santiago with amended results, confirming he was indeed the child’s biological father. By that time, however, the damage had been done—Santiago’s relationship with the child’s mother had ended, and he had missed irreplaceable moments, such as naming his daughter, witnessing her birth, and watching her first steps.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Santiago shared, “It completely changed the trajectory of my life. Precious moments…were all erased.”

A jury ultimately awarded Santiago $2.5 million in damages. His attorney, Steven Errante, explained that the trial primarily focused on determining appropriate compensation, as the company had admitted liability for the laboratory mistake. However, key questions about how the error came to light—so long after the original results—remained unanswered.

“It was always mystifying to us,” Errante noted. “Why would you be looking at these results eighteen months later? We never really got an answer.”

This case underscores the potentially life-altering consequences of diagnostic errors, as well as the importance of accountability in such deeply personal matters.

For more information:
Click here for the full News 4 story.