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Austrian woman allegedly switched at birth to be paid $100K from hospital

VIENNA -- An Austrian court has ordered a hospital to pay over $100,000 for handing a baby to the wrong parents more than two decades ago. 

Doris Gruenwald, 26, discovered the error after a blood test four years ago revealed that she was not the biological child of Evelin and Josef Gruenwald. She was subsequently adopted. The Gruenwalds' natural child has not been found.

The court in the southern city of Graz ruled Monday that the hospital was guilty of gross negligence and ordered it to pay the woman and the couple who raised her.

Gunther Ledolter, the lawyer representing the Gruenwalds, on Tuesday confirmed the court decision and details reported in Austrian media.

The hospital plans an appeal. The hospital suggested in court that the mix-up could have taken place later or another place, AFP reports.

Gruenwald still does not know who her biological parents are, AFP reports. The hospital launched a search by offering DNA tests to 200 women born in the hospital around the same time. So far, only 30 women have taken advantage and none were a match. 

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