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 Dying Lesbian's Partner Denied Access To Her
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: February 22, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET
(Miami, Florida) Janice Langbehn and Lisa
Pond had planned to take their three children on a family cruise. The Olympia,
Washington couple had been together 18 years and with their children were
looking forward to the holiday.
But just as they were about to depart on the
cruise from Miami, Florida. Pond, a healthy 39-year-old, suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to Jackson
Memorial Hospital in Miami with Langbehn and the children following close
behind.
But once Langbehn and the children arrived at the
hospital the hospital refused to accept information from her about Ponds’s
medical history.
Langbehn says she was informed that she was in an
antigay city and state, and she could expect to receive no information or
acknowledgment as family.
A doctor finally spoke with Janice telling her
that there was no chance of recovery.
Other than one five minute visit, which was
orchestrated by a Catholic priest at Langbehn’s request to perform last rites,
and despite the doctor’s acknowledgement that no medical reason existed to
prevent visitation, neither she nor her children were allowed to see Pond until
nearly eight hours after their arrival.
Soon after Pond'’s death, Langbehn tried to get
her death certificate in order to get life insurance and Social Security
benefits for their children. She was denied both by the State of Florida and the
Dade County Medical Examiner.
With the help of Lambda Legal Langbehn has
notified Jackson Memorial Hospital that she intends to file a lawsuit.
"There is nothing that can make up for what
my children and I endured that day,” Langbehn says of the day Pond died. “We
only want the hospital to take responsibility for how they treated us and ensure
that it doesn’t happen to another family.”
In accordance with Florida law, Lambda Legal is
waiting for the hospital to respond to the notice of intent to sue before
formally filing a complaint with the court.
"The treatment that Janice and her children
received was unethical and discriminatory," said Beth Littrell, Staff
Attorney for Lambda Legal.
"This letter puts them on notice that we are
advocating for justice for Janice and her children."
©365Gay.com 2008
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