Dr. Steven Berkman

Somebody was searching for Dr. Steven Berkman.

A 20-year-old Newark college student, identified in prolife sources as "Jane Doe of Newark," underwent an abortion by Dr. Steven Berkman at Metropolitan Medical Associates on June 16, 1993. Jane reportedly felt dizzy in recovery. Berkman examined her, noted that she had a perforated uterus, and had her taken to a hospital by ambulance. She died in surgery, leaving her four-year-old son motherless.

"We are intensely investigating this matter," said an attorney for Jane's family. "We know something occurred that shouldn't have. We had a healthy 20-year-old go into that clinic and not come out. And I think a delay had something to do with it." Berkman said that there was no delay in transporting Jane to the hospital. He also said he did not believe she died from blood loss. The Bergen County Medical Examiner found that Jane had died from hemorrhage from a perforated uterus. He ruled the death accidental.

A suit by filed by Veronica W., age 34, alleged that she underwent an abortion by Berkman at Long Island College Hospital. She suffered a perforated uterus resulting in sterility. Veronica also alleged lack of informed consent.