A Brooklyn couple that claims its lawyers didn’t warn it about its adopted baby’s serious medical conditions is suing for $5 million.
Lynell and Victor Jeffrey are suing adoption attorneys Aaron Britvan and Alyssa Seiden after spending thousands of dollars on medical treatment for their son, Ellington. The baby was born with severe neurological deficits, according to the lawsuit, filed in Queens Supreme Court. It is unclear why they filed in Queens.
The Jeffreys adopted Ellington in August 2006 from his birthmother in Indiana. Three months after bringing him home, they took him to the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, where they were informed of the baby’s problems following a CAT scan.
“Ellington is a wonderful little boy, but this has been hard,” said Lynell.
Had his problems been disclosed to the Jeffreys prior to their finalizing the adoption, they would not have completed the process, the lawsuit says.
The couple says it has suffered emotionally and financially and wants the money to pay for Ellington’s future medical expenses.
Britvan’s lawyer, Caryn Lilling, said, “This case was thrown out in Indiana, and it will be thrown out here as well.”
Seiden was not available for comment.