Litigation over circumcision

Litigation over circumcision may occur for several reasons.

Adverse outcome

Circumcision may only be legally done when someone (the patient or his surrogate) has granted informed consent to the surgeon for the known injury.

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 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.

Lack of consent

Circumcisions have been known to be carried out, usually by error, when informed consent has not been granted. In such cases litigation for wrongful circumcision may result. A suit may be a personal injury lawsuit or a medical malpractice lawsuit.

When parents disagree

When parents disagree, litigation between parents regarding a proposed circumcision of an infant son may end up in family court.

Adult suits 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.

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.