I try to stress to my LGBT clients the need to have proper medical powers of attorneys, financial powers of attorney and, of course, wills in place to insure that a nightmare like the one that befell Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond as related in this story from 365gay.com (http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/02/022208fla.htm) does not occur. The cost is not overwhelming - and get some comparative quoteseven - and having the proper documents in place can avert total disaster. Some employers even offer prepaid legal plans as an employee benefit that can make the cost even more affordable. Here are some story highlights:
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.
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.
Again, a proper will and medical power of attorney could have avoided this nighmare. When traveling, LBGT couples should always carry a valid medical power of attorney for each member of the couple. Likewise, if both parents are not their children's legal guardian, a medical power of attorney shouls be granted by the legal parent to the other partner. I hope people will learn from Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond's misfortune.
3 comments:
This is such an outrage.
Not only what happened, but to be told by a staff member that "you're in an anti-gay city and state".
I hope she sues not only the hospital, but each staff member involved.
So much for human companssion.
Lyndon pretty much said what I was going to say. I'm appalled and disgusted by the level of insensitivity shown here ~ not just to a lesbian but to also another human being. WHY?
hi, thanks for reading our horrendous story.. a year has past and the pain is still there. To keep the record straight, the hospitla got our living willlings, powers of attorney (durabe ones) in the event the other couldn't talk the other parent could. Jackson Memorial had it all. to read my media speeches and my thoughts you are free to go to our blogs at www.theLPkids.com or www.Rwavesofchange.com
peace
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