The family of a deceased mechanical engineer who wished to donate his body to science is suing a New York hospital after the corpse was rejected because it was too heavy.

Queens (NY) mechanical engineer George Cardel was a science buff and made it known that upon his death he wanted to donate his body to medical science.  After he died at age 59 of a heart attack, the family notified the hospital of Cardel's desire. Thirteen days later, the body was returned to the family. 

According to news reports, Long Island Jewish Medical Center officials tried to place the corpse with the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine at Hofstra University, but it was rejected because it was too heavy.  No other facilities would take the corpse either. 

Former New York City chief medical examiner Michael Baden told reporters, "An obese person would be harder to dissect because of the amount of fat tissue under the skin." It is reported that Cardel weighed about 300 pounds at the time of his death.

Cardel's sister, Maryann O'Donnell, is suing the hospital for $2 million, alleging "grave humiliation." The family further claims that the body was so badly decomposed after 13 days that it required cremation.

“Everybody was trying to get through closure and suddenly George was back,” Maryann's husband, Joseph, said. 

Hospital spokesman Terry Lynam confirmed the family’s story, but said officials also contacted other medical schools and labs in an effort to satisfy Cardel's wishes.

—Source:  NewYorkDailyNews.com