Woman Sues Planned Parenthood for Wrongful Birth

By Brittany Golledge

Published on August 23, 2005

The woman, Kelly Horde, had visited Planned Parenthood several times between September and April of 2004. She received injections of Depo Provera throughout this period to prevent pregnancy. During each visit, she was examined by medical staff and submitted a urine sample. In October of 2004 she requested a pregnancy test and found out that she had become pregnant in June, while she was still taking contraceptive drugs. Her complaint points out that medical staff never informed her of the pregnancy and continued to give her contraceptive injections. Horde had also visited Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in August complaining of nausea and heartburn. She was diagnosed with an ulcer and prescribed medication for acid reflux.

In the lawsuit, Horde alleges that Planned Parenthood and the Contra Costa Medical Center were negligent in failing to prevent her pregnancy. In the complaint, she alleges "wrongful life," a legal term which normally applies to a child born with genetic defects. She is seeking special damages, including the costs of raising her child, a boy named Elija.

Representatives from Planned Parenthood have yet to see the complaint, but an external affairs Vice President did issue a statement which points out that no birth control is 100% effective.

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