Pages

Saturday, July 27, 2024

July 27, 1974: Teen Dies After Seizures

Gina Gardner, a 17-year-old cheerleader at Gulf Comprehensive High School in West Pasco, Florida, went to Dr. James R. Lund for a safe, legal abortion on July 26, 1974.

She went into convulsions almost immediately after Lund administered a fourth dose of the local anesthetic Lidocaine while she was still under the effects of the initial dose of Demerol for the procedure. She convulsed for nearly twenty minutes. 

Gina was pronounced dead at Morton F. Plant Hospital the following day.

Gina's mother, Patricia Kennedy, had to wrangle to even bring the case to court because of a recently-passed Florida law regarding medical malpractice cases. Her suit alleged that Lund's office lacked the facilities and staff to deal with respiratory arrest and failed to provide appropriate informed consent. She ended up settling out-of-court for a mere $15,000.

No comments:

Post a Comment