(CNSNews.com) - A California woman has filed a medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuit against Planned Parenthood alleging that the abortion provider contributed to her daughter's death.

Edrica Goode, 21, died in February from toxic shock syndrome (TSS) after cervical dilators used to prepare her body for the abortion procedure helped spread an existing bacterial infection, according to the lawsuit, filed in Riverside, Calif., Superior Court last week.

The suit alleges that a Planned Parenthood employee placed the dilators in Goode's cervix after noticing the existing bacterial infection and despite "common knowledge" that the dilators can contribute to the spread of infections.

It also alleges that when Goode failed to return to the clinic for the procedure the following day as planned -- because she was disabled by the infection -- Planned Parenthood did not make a sufficiently strong effort to warn Goode about the dangers of leaving the dilators inside her, or of their possible connection to her infection.

The lawsuit seeks medical, funeral and legal costs as well as "general damages" but does not specify the amount that Goode's mother, Aletheia Meloncon, is seeking.

The suit, filed on behalf of Meloncon by her lawyer, Jack Schuler, alleges that Goode's death was "a direct result of medical treatment she received from Planned Parenthood and a follow-up treatment she received from Riverside County health-care providers."

The county of Riverside is listed as a co-defendant because, according to the suit, doctors failed to examine Goode when she checked in, resulting in the dilators remaining in place for days and furthering her infection.

The suit charges that Planned Parenthood and county health workers "so carelessly and negligently provided medical services and failed to provide medical services ... so as to cause the death of Edrica Goode."

Schuler did not respond to requests for comment Friday. A spokesman for Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties did not respond to requests for comment Friday.

Troy Newman, president of the pro-life group Operation Rescue, told Cybercast News Service that no pro-life groups are directly involved in the litigation because "there's no need for any pro-life groups to get involved. Schuler's doing a fine job suing the pants off these people."

But Newman did use the case as an opportunity to criticize the abortion provider. "The abortion cartel can pretend that abortion is safe, but the mounting body count says otherwise," he said in a statement.

"We pray that the Riverside Planned Parenthood will close and those responsible for the tragic death of Edrica Goode will be required to pay the full penalty under the law," he said.

See Earlier Stories:
Lawmaker Expresses Dismay Over Planned Parenthood Conduct (May 16, 2007)
Abortion Provider Caught Encouraging Minor to Lie About Age (May 11, 2007)

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