GREENVILLE, PITT COUNTY -

A Greenville woman is set to appeal the states denial of restitution for involuntary sterilization, but a loophole in the law that entitles her to that money may count her, and countless others out.

According to the Office of Justice for Sterilization Victims, nearly 8,000 people across the state were sterilized under the states eugenics progam, stripping them of the ability to have children.

Now, the state has begun compensating victims of that program that occurred between 1926 and 1974.

Rosa Marie Staggers says a social worker misled her and she was sterilized in Pitt County after she had her third child at the age of 21.

"I asked her you know like this if I get my tubes tied if I want to have any kids when I get married can I have them?"said Staggers. "She said yes so therefore I feel like she lied to me."

Lawyers at the UNC Center for Civil Rights say there's a loophole in the law that could count many, like Staggers, out.

The state law requires that the State Board of Eugenics must have been aware of the procedure, but many counties conducted these procedures without notifying the state.

Also, you must have been alive on June, 30, 2013-- the day the law was passed, which excludes families of deceased victims.

Staggers is set to testify before the Industrial Commission on Friday. That commission will decide whether or not she will be compensated.

Originally posted here:

Loopholes in law make it hard for eugenics victims to receive payment