Avellino Clinic Baby Swap Results in €100,000 Compensation

In October 2017 a private clinic in Avellino, Italy mistakenly handed two newborn girls to the wrong mothers after misreading identification bracelets. Each mother breast‑fed and cared for the other infant for three days before the mistake was discovered during a post‑natal medical check.

Criminal proceedings were closed, deeming the incident a negligent error. A civil suit filed by one of the mothers led the Avellino civil court to award her more than €100,000 in damages for severe psychological injury, including sleep disturbances, anxiety and lasting emotional distress. DNA testing later confirmed the babies had been swapped. The second mother did not pursue legal action and therefore received no compensation.