Press Release issued by Deborah Lilienthal and the law firm of Schulte Roth & Zabel
on behalf of Martin and Phyllis Juman.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Howard O. Godnick, Esq.
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
(212) 756-2220Deborah Lilienthal
(212) 537-5043
Son Of Lobotomized Schizophrenic
NEW YORK, November 15, 1999 - After eight years of litigation, the first wrongful adoption case in New York will go to trial on November 16, 1999.This case marks the first time that a cause of action for wrongful adoption has been recognized in New York. Martin and Phyllis Juman are suing Louise Wise Services for intentionally misrepresenting the extreme psychiatric history of their adopted son Michael's birth parents. When the Jumans adopted Michael in 1966, Louise Wise Services deliberately failed to tell them that Michael's birth mother was a lobotomized schizophrenic who had spent most of her adult life in mental institutions and that his birth father also suffered from a severe mental disorder.
"We have fought for this opportunity for a long time," Martin Juman said. "I promised my son before he died that we would pursue justice, and now we are finally going to have that chance."
Michael Juman died in 1994 of circumstances related to his own battle with schizophrenia, a mental illness known to have a genetic cause. Louise Wise Services' actions prevented Michael's doctors from learning crucial information that might have helped them treat Michael's severe mental illnesses.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the case of Martin and Phyllis Juman v. Louise Wise Services on November 16, 1999 in New York State Supreme Court, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY.
NY CCC Homepage Wrongful Adoption Directory
New York State Citizen's Coalition for Children, Inc.
410 East Upland Road • Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0034 • fax 607-272-0035
office@nysccc.org
10/29/02