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Attorneys agree to remove doctor from abortion lawsuit

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 01:08:00 pm CDT

Attorneys on both sides of a lawsuit filed over what was alleged to have been a botched abortion filed a document Thursday agreeing to dismiss the doctor as a defendant.

Attorney Joel Nelson signed on behalf of Jefferson Downing, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of a 40-year-old Nebraska woman, who was not named. James Snowden signed for the defense.

According to court records, the parties both were asking the judge to dismiss the case against Dr. Meryl Severson in a way that bars it from being filed again.

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The case would remain open against Planned Parenthood.

The woman, who is not named in the lawsuit, said she was given an emergency hysterectomy because of a botched abortion at the Lincoln clinic Aug. 16. The lawsuit alleges she asked the doctor to stop at one point, but that the doctor said they couldn’t stop.

The woman lost four liters of blood — the equivalent of 80 percent of the average woman’s blood volume, according to the lawsuit — and the procedure caused her excruciating pain. Downing said his client felt violated by the treatment she received.


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Deb wrote on May 9, 2008 1:56 pm:
" The woman "felt violated" what about the fetus? At least she not be able to abort any other human beings. "

 Jennifer wrote on May 9, 2008 4:20 pm:
" Grow up and join the 21st century where it should be a woman's right to choose. The victim was 40 years old for gods sake. Get off your high horse. "

 Pro Choice wrote on May 9, 2008 4:37 pm:
" I am more than Pro Choice and all for women's rights however....you have to expect in a situation like this there are HUGE risks....unfortunately one of those rare riks happened to her, I am sorry for that....but it is the risks you take to have an abortion! "

 Well put Deb wrote on May 9, 2008 4:59 pm:
" If you enter a slaughterhouse, don't be suprised to be treated like a piece of meat. "

 dont even start wrote on May 9, 2008 5:00 pm:
" Deb--what about all of the infants being beaten, starved, neglected, molested, left alone, smothered to death.......nobody wants to hear the same TIRED comments. Please make an effort for the babies who ARE born into the world and have to endure horror. There are way more of those than there are aborted fetuses. "

 Seriously wrote on May 9, 2008 8:49 pm:
" So she made a choice, legal and I'm sure she signed an informed consent about the risks associated with this procedure. It's a shame that she experienced complications, but as I see it informed consent is just that. You know the risks and a signature represents your understanding of them. This is not an issue for the pro-lifers to jump all over.. this about LEGAL facts. "

 Elizabeth Ann wrote on May 10, 2008 1:08 am:
" I have much sympathy for the woman who experienced these medical issues. But at least she could see a doctor to begin with. It is a travesty that health care in our country has come to the point where many people cannot afford to even see a doctor. Let's increase our protection of doctors in malpractice suits, and let's work to make good health care affordable to ALL Americans. "

 Julie Schmit-Albin wrote on May 10, 2008 10:28 am:
" This whole thing is getting more intriguing by the day. First the LJS reports about the temporary cessation of abortions at Planned Parenthood's Lincoln and Council Bluffs facilities. Now we see that abortionist Meryl Severson is dismissed as a defendant in the medical malpractice lawsuit stemming from last summer's botched abortion in Lincoln. I hope the LJS will dig further and find out the story behind Severson's being released from this lawsuit. "

 Lois wrote on May 10, 2008 11:47 am:
" It would be helpful to hear more details on this whole case. For example, was the woman still at the facility? How long did it take the facility to call in the ambulance, etc. Obviously, a doctor performed the abortion. If it is Dr. Severson, why would he be dismissed from the lawsuit? Is it safe at this facility for other women? More details, please. "

 Just my opinion wrote on May 10, 2008 3:02 pm:
" I was there that day and I know the facts. Every blogger on here today knowes O% of the facts of this case. I can say without any doubt all of you, every last one of you would have filed a suit if what happened to her, happened to any of you, consent formed signed or not. No if's, and's or but's about it. "

 SAW wrote on May 10, 2008 3:37 pm:
" this is to those of you who think that they can judge others decisions... she made the choice to do what she did and if you dont agree with it why even read the article. who are you to judge someones decision? it is one of the hardest things for a woman to go through. but this is what gets me. christians and others sit there and say that abortion is wrong and you should do it and then look down on a person for doing but it also states in the bible that you should not judge. this article was not about if it was right or wrong for her to get the abortion it was about what happened when she got the abortion. maybe pay more attention to what the article was about before commenting and judging someone cuz its not even your place to do so. "

 Mary wrote on May 10, 2008 4:40 pm:
" Abortion not only kills unborn babies, it damages women too. Hopefully, Severson will not be let off the hook for almost killing this woman and her unborn child. Legal abortion has not made it safe. "

 Maris Stella wrote on May 12, 2008 4:19 pm:
" Just because something is "legal" doesn't mean it is right. As Fulton Sheen said "The truth is the truth even if no one believes it; and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it." No one has a rightful "choice" to murder another human being, no matter how small, vulnerable, or unwanted they are. "

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