Ed Szymkowiak, national director of STOPP International, praised the San Francisco court decision awarding $672,610 in damages to a Yugoslav immigrant whose preborn child suffered the loss of two limbs during a botched abortion at Planned Parenthood three years ago. The abortion was completed some months later when the child was at a gestational age of nearly six months.
The botched abortion was performed by Planned Parenthood Golden Gate, which oversees nine abortion facilities in the Bay Area. During the trial, Judge Douglas Munson ordered Planned Parenthood to be held responsible for failing to turn over critical medical evidence.
"Charges of malpractice at Planned Parenthood are nothing new," Szymkowiak said. "Lawsuits against Planned Parenthood include violations of health codes, medical record and patient care deficiencies, unsanitary conditions, altered lab reports, fraudulent billing, equipment and utility deficiencies, sex offenses, and so on."
During court testimony, it was revealed that the plaintiff was actually carrying twins, one of whom was killed during the abortion. The other child was dismembered and not extracted. Planned Parenthood did not tell the woman she was carrying twins, but told her that the abortion was complete.
Media reports indicate that the plaintiff is suffering post-abortion trauma, "haunted by visions of babies being killed, [crying] uncontrollably at the sight of young children -- particularly twins... She can't get in close proximity to a man without shaking and, sometimes, vomiting."
"We urge people to keep this woman and her deceased babies in their prayers," Szymkowiak said. "This tragic incident should lead women to think twice before they go to Planned Parenthood for any type of medical services. This verdict should be an encouragement to all women who have been harmed by Planned Parenthood to sue."
Release issued: 28 Feb 01
