Litigation over circumcision: Difference between revisions

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Every [[circumcision]] injures the patient by [[amputation]] of the [[foreskin]] which has many valuable protective, immunological, sensory, and sexual functions, however the patient or his surrogate grants consent for this, so when the injury is greater than expected, of an [[Documented severe complications of circumcision| unusual nature]], [[death]] occurs, or the amputation was poorly executed, litigation for damages or even wrongful death may occur.
Every [[circumcision]] injures the patient by [[amputation]] of the [[foreskin]] which has many valuable protective, immunological, sensory, and sexual functions, however the patient or his surrogate grants consent for this, so when the injury is greater than expected, of an [[Documented severe complications of circumcision| unusual nature]], [[death]] occurs, or the amputation was poorly executed, litigation for damages or even wrongful death may occur.


If the surgical instruments used caused the injury, then the manufacturer may be sued. [[David  J. Llewellyn]] of Atlanta has won millions of dollars in two lawsuits again the manufacturer of the defective Mogen Clamp.<ref>{{REFnews
If the surgical instruments used caused the injury, then the manufacturer may be sued. [[David  J. Llewellyn]] of Atlanta has won millions of dollars in two lawsuits again the manufacturer of the defective [[Mogen| Mogen Clamp]].<ref>{{REFnews
  |title=Atlanta lawyer wins $11 million lawsuit for family in botched circumcision
  |title=Atlanta lawyer wins $11 million lawsuit for family in botched circumcision
  |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/national/atlanta-lawyer-wins-million-lawsuit-for-family-botched-circumcision/P9Jewrh4v1GWStqGyfejiP/
  |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/national/atlanta-lawyer-wins-million-lawsuit-for-family-botched-circumcision/P9Jewrh4v1GWStqGyfejiP/
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==Lack of consent==
==Lack of consent==
Circumcisions have been known to be carried out, usually by error, when informed consent has not been granted or is faulty or defective. In such cases litigation for [http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/protection/ wrongful circumcision] may result.<ref name="llewellyn1995">{{REFjournal
Circumcisions have been known to be carried out, usually by error, when [[informed consent]] has not been granted or is faulty or defective. In such cases litigation for [http://www.cirp.org/pages/parents/protection/ wrongful circumcision] may result.<ref name="llewellyn1995">{{REFjournal
  |last=LLewellyn
  |last=LLewellyn
  |init=D
  |init=D
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==When parents disagree==
==When parents disagree==
Parents do not always agree about non-therapeutic circumcision of boys. Consent of both parents is required in the [[United Kingdom]], but is advisable everywhere. Doctors and ''[[mohel]]s'' who perform circumcisions should obtain written informed consent from both parents. When parents disagree, litigation between parents regarding a proposed circumcision of an infant son may be brought.
Parents do not always agree about non-therapeutic circumcision of boys. Consent of both parents is required in the [[United Kingdom]],<ref name="bma2019">{{REFdocument
|title=Non-therapeutic male circumcision (NTMC) of children – practical guidance for doctors
|url=https://www.bma.org.uk/media/1847/bma-non-therapeutic-male-circumcision-of-children-guidance-2019.pdf
|contribution=
|last=
|first=
|publisher=British Medical Association
|format=PDF
|date=2019
|accessdate=2021-11-22
}}</ref> but is advisable everywhere. Doctors and ''[[mohel]]s'' who perform circumcisions should obtain written [[informed consent]] from both parents. When parents disagree, litigation between parents regarding a proposed circumcision of an infant son may be brought.


==Adult suits for child circumcision==
==Adult lawsuits for child circumcision==


An adult may sue for an injury incurred as a child after reaching the age of majority. Such suits are subject to statutes of limitation which prescribe strict time limits for instituting such suits. The prescription varies by jurisdiction.<ref>{{REFweb
An adult may sue for an injury incurred as a child after reaching the age of majority. Such suits are subject to statutes of limitation which prescribe strict time limits for instituting such suits. The prescription varies by jurisdiction.<ref>{{REFweb
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}}</ref>
}}</ref>


For example, [[William Stowell]] brought a suit against the doctor who performed his circumcision and the hospital where the circumcision occurred. The suit resulted in an out-of-court settlement.
For example, [[William Stowell]], as a young adult, brought a suit against the doctor who performed his infant non-therapeutic circumcision and the hospital where the circumcision occurred. The suit resulted in an out-of-court settlement.
 
==Suits to enforce and protect Constitutional and human rights==
While this will vary from country to country, Non-therapeutic circumcision of male infants violates various constitutional and [[human rights]]. The [[Cologne circumcision court judgment]] (''Köln Oberlandgerict'') found in May 2012 that such non-therapeutic circumcision violates the Bill of Rights of Germany's Basic Law (''Grundgesetz'')<ref>LG Köln, 07.05.2012 - 151 Ns 169/11</ref> Lawsuits brought in other nations presumably would reach a similar conclusion.<ref name="bernaerts2014"> {{REFdocument
|title=The Cologne Judgment: a curiosity or the start sign for condemning circumcision of male children without their consent as a human rights violation?
|url=https://repository.gchumanrights.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11825/161/Bernaerts_2012%EF%80%A213.pdf
|contribution=
|last=Bernaerts
|first=Jonathan Alfons J
|publisher=European Commission
|format=PDF
|date=2014
|accessdate=2021-11-22
}}</ref>
 
Such lawsuits are mostly theoretical at this time.
 
{{SEEALSO}}
{{SEEALSO}}
* [[Circumcision is a Fraud]]
* [[Circumcision legal commentary]]
* [[Circumcision legal commentary]]
{{LINKS}}
{{LINKS}}
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  |format=
  |quote=
  |quote=
}}
* {{REFweb
|url=https://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/legal/
|title=Legal
|publisher=[[Doctors Opposing Circumcision (D.O.C.)]]
|last=
|first=
|accessdate=2021-11-22
}}
}}


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[[Category:Circumcision]]
[[Category:Circumcision]]
[[Category:Litigation over circumcision]]
[[Category:Litigation over circumcision]]
[[de:Rechtsstreit wegen Beschneidung]]