A judge has awarded a family $4.6 million for injuries to a child that were sustained by a boy during a botched circumcision in 2003. Per the Los Angeles personal injury complaint, which was filed by his mother Melanie Hall, the incident took off 85% of the top of the boy's penis. The defendants of the California products liability case are Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp. and Miltex Inc.
Dr. Anthony Picket, the physician who performed the procedure on the boy, who is now 8, used a clamp, which was made by Miltex. The boy's Los Angeles injuries to a minor complaint contends that because the clamp was defectively designed, the head of the penis wasn't protected. As a result, the boy's penis head was amputated.
Because of the injury, the boy will have to see a pediatric urologist and a psychiatrist to cope with the trauma from what happened. He also will likely have to undergo more surgeries over the coming years.
Botched Circumcisions
Unfortunately, botched circumcisions can happen, which is why it is important that the person performing the procedure is careful and doesn't make any mistakes that could cause serious injury. It is also the responsibility of the manufacturers of the medical instruments used in circumcisions to make sure their products are safe.
Just last year, a judge awarded a family $10.8 million against clamp manufacturer Mogen. The boy lost his penis's entire head when it was pulled into the clamp's mouth. A separate settlement was negotiated with the mohel (Jewish ritual circumcisor) that performed the procedure. The year before, a jury awarded another family $2.3 million against the pediatrician and physician who performed a circumcision that resulted in too much tissue being removed. As a result, the boy lost a third of his glans. The plaintiffs claim this part could possibly have been reattached if the medical professionals had tried to do this sooner.
Botched circumcisions can be incredibly painful and traumatic. It can also lead to physical, psychological, and emotional issues that may haunt the victim for life.
Boy's botched circumcision leads to $4.6 million award, Press-Telegram, July 18, 2011
Atlanta lawyer wins $11 million lawsuit for family in botched circumcision, AJC.com, July 19, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Miltex
Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp.
Potential for Injury from Circumcision Clamps, US Food and Drug Administration
More Blog Posts:
San Clemente Woman Files Laguna Beach Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Accusing Gynecologist of Burning Her and Branding Her Uterus, California Injury Lawyers, September 15, 2010
Laguna Beach Medical Malpractice?: Mission Hospital Fined For Accidentally Giving Morphine to Newborn, California Injury Lawyers, May 20, 2010
Anaheim Hills Urologist Accused of Botching Penis Enlargement Surgeries, California Injury Lawyers, September 18, 2009
