Lack of Gay Marriage Benefits Denies Gay Man Wrongful Death Lawsuit

John Langan's life changed forever when his gay civil partner, Neil Conrad Spicehandler, was struck by a hit and run driver. He was immediately send to a Manhattan hospital for treatment of his broken leg. After Spicehandler's leg was operated on a second time days later, Langan got a call that his partner was dead. Langan and the family successfully sued when the hospital was unable to satisfactorily explain how minor surgery led to death.

In appeal, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that Langan had no right to sue since he and Neil Spicehandler were not married. Langan and Spicehandler were granted civil partnership in Vermont in 1986.

Larson's attorney, Adam Aronson told the Associated Press, "If this decision is allowed to stand, same sex couples will be denied the very significant and important protections that all married heterosexual spouses can get. And they will be denied those protections for no reason other than the fact they are gay."

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