Legal Victories

The first few rulings below protected the genital autonomy of the child, and therefore did not involve any monetary award. Subsequent cases on the list, involving damages paid by the perpetrators of genital trauma, are sorted by settlement value in decreasing order.

This list only represents a very small percentage of the total number of circumcision-related lawsuits. Privately arranged settlements and sealed settlements are both highly unlikely to appear in the list. Accordingly, this list grossly underestimates the number of successful circumcision-related lawsuits and the cost of male circumcision.

We thank David J. Llewellyn and Charles Bonner for their work in circumcision-related lawsuits.


Case Number: 1
Settlement Amount: N/A – Trauma Prevented
Name of case: Superior Court [Obergericht] of the Canton of Zürich – Reference No.: PQ190030-O/U
Hospital/Physician: N/A
Place: Zürich, Switzerland
Date of Trauma: N/A
Date of Court Decision: June 4, 2019
Description: The Superior Court of the canton of Zurich refused to allow a mother to have her son circumcised for religious reasons. The court reached its decision partly due to the son’s unusual sensitivity due to unrelated past trauma he had suffered.
Citation: https://www.arclaw.org/wp-content/uploads/Swiss-Zurich-Case-2019-English-Translation.pdf

Case Number: 2
Settlement Amount: N/A – Trauma Prevented
Name of case: Cantonal Court of Graubünden – ZK1 13 42
Hospital/Physician: N/A
Place: Graubünden, Switzerland
Date of Trauma: N/A
Date of Court Decision: October 8, 2013
Description: The Swiss cantonal court held that a four-year-old Muslim boy could not be circumcised because the proposed procedure was inconsistent with the child’s welfare and the decision could be delayed until the child could make the choice himself. The court noted in passing the inconsistent legal treatment of female genital cutting (FGC) and male genital cutting (MGC) and the incongruity of “a special offense solely for injury to the female genitals but not to the male genitals.”
Citation: https://www.arclaw.org/wp-content/uploads/Swiss-Graubunden-Case-2013-English-Translation.pdf

Case Number: 3
Settlement Amount: N/A – Trauma Prevented
Name of case: COURT OF ZUTPHEN, Civil Sector – Family Division, Case number: 83927 JE RK 07-110
Hospital/Physician: N/A
Place: Zutphen, Netherlands
Date of Trauma: N/A
Date of Court Decision: July 31, 2007
Description: The court ruled that circumcision was not in the child’s best interests, siding with the child’s foster parents, who wished to protect him from the circumcision requested by his biological mother.
Citation: https://www.arclaw.org/wp-content/uploads/Dutch-Zutphen-Case-2007-English-Translation.pdf

Case Number: 4
Settlement Amount: N/A – Trauma Prevented
Name of case: Higher Regional Court Hamm, 3 UF 133/13
Hospital/Physician: N/A
Place: Hamm, Germany
Date of Trauma: N/A
Date of Court Decision: August 30, 2013
Description: The court, citing the possibility of psychological damage, protected the 6-year-old child of a Kenyan woman who wanted his foreskin to be amputated.
Citation: https://www.arclaw.org/wp-content/uploads/German-Hamm-Case-2013-English-Translation.pdf

Case Number: 5
Settlement Amount: $31 million
Name of case: Willis v. Life Cycle Pediatrics, Clayton County Case No.2014CV02070 JP
Hospital/Physician: Life Cycle Pediatrics
Place: Riverdale, GA
Date of Trauma: September or October 2013
Date of Court Decision: September 21, 2018
Plaintiff: 4 year old boy, son of Nancy Willis
Plaintiff’s attorney: Neal Pope
Description: After a trial, a Georgia jury awarded a boy $31 million for a botched circumcision that severed part of the boy’s penis, causing physical pain from chronic scabbing and a likely lifetime of mental anguish because of the resulting deformity.
Citation: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 21, 2018, “Clayton Jury Awards Boy $31M for Botched Circumcision,” by Joshua Sharpe

Case Number: 6
Settlement Amount: $22.8 million
Name of case: Antonio Willis v. Northside Hospital, Atlanta
Hospital/Physician: Northside Hospital, Atlanta
Place: Atlanta, Georgia
Date of Trauma: August 1985
Date of Court Decision: March 1991
Plaintiff: Antonio Willis
Plaintiff’s attorney: Willie E. Gary of Stuart, Fla and Thomas G. Sampson of Atlanta
Description: A 5-year-old boy has won a $22.8 million settlement from an Atlanta hospital to compensate him for the severe burns he suffered to his penis in 1985 in a botched circumcision.
Citation: “Lawyers: $22.8 million to be paid over botched circumcision”, The Atlanta Constitution, Tuesday, March 12, 1991, page A1 and “$22.8 million awarded in botched circumcision”, Palm Beach Post March 12, 1991, page 1A and “Hospital set to pay in circumcision accident”, Roanoke Times and World News, March 14, 1991.

Case Number: 7
Settlement Amount: $10.8 million
Name of case: L.G. v. Mogen Circumcision Instruments, Ltd.
Hospital/Physician: Mogen Circumcision Instruments was defendant
Place: Brooklyn, NY (Judge Jack B. Weinstein)
Date of Trauma: 2007
Date of Court Decision: July 16, 2010
Plaintiff: L.G. and parents Dror and Sivan Gerges
Plaintiff’s attorney: David Llewellyn
Description: Infant lost portion of penis during 2007 infant circumcision using Mogen clamp and Mogen required to pay $10.8M, $10M to infant and $777,070.96 to parents. Mogen claimed a few days later to be going out of business as a result. Company official still argue the clamp is “painless and safe.”
Citation: “Company that Lost $10M in Botched Circumcision is Going Out of Business,” Vosizneias.com, July 19, 2010; “10M for Circumslicing,” New York Post, July 18, 2010; Ty Tagami, “Atlanta Lawyer Wins $11 Million Lawsuit for Family in Botched Circumcision,” The Atlanta Constitution (www.ajc.com/news/nationworld/atlanta-lawyer-wins-11-573890.html), Advance My Lawsuit, “New York Dangerous Product Lawsuit Gets $10.8 Million Award.”

Case Number: 8
Settlement Amount: $10 million
Name of case: Ian Carque v. Dr Martha L. Myers; Medina General Hospital
Hospital/Physician: Medina General Hospital, Lake County, Ohio and Dr Martha L. Myers
Place: Lake County, Ohio
Date of Trauma: September 23, 1994
Date of Court Decision: March 24, 1999
Plaintiff: Ian Carque
Plaintiff’s attorney: William Beyer
Description: A 4-year old boy has won a $10 million settlement from a Lake County, Ohio hospital to compensate him for a botched circumcision that severed the tip of his penis.
Citation: “Suit over botched circumcision settled”, Lake County News Herald, Friday, March 26, 1999.

Case Number: 9
Settlement Amount: $7.5 million
Name of case: Maame v. Mogen Circumcision Instruments, Ltd.
Hospital/Physician: UMass Memorial Medical Center
Place: Worcester, MA
Date of Trauma: September 26, 2000
Date of Court Decision: August 24, 2007
Plaintiff: Alvin Poku by parents Ankuma Maame and Kwasi Poku
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown; David Llewellyn in contact with them
Description: Substantial part of boy’s foreskin amputated in newborn circumcision with Mogen Clamp; settlement with doctor and medical center for $200,000; Default judgment against Mogen was never paid.
Citation: Maame v. Mogen Circumcision Instruments, Ltd., 2007 WL 2706273, Superior Court of Massachusetts, Worcester County, No. 20061234A

Case Number: 10
Settlement Amount: $4.6 million
Name of case: Melanie Hall v. Miltex Inc. and Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp.
Hospital/Physician: Dr. Anthony Pickett performed surgery at Maternity Center of Vermont
Place: Los Angeles, CA
Date of Trauma: January 3, 2003
Date of Court Decision: July 18, 2011
Plaintiff: Melanie Hall on behalf of her son
Plaintiff’s attorney: Browne Greene
Description: Botched circumcision in Los Angeles clinic using Mogen Clamp. Due to defective clamp design, head of penis was unprotected and amputated during procedure. Case was settled.
Citation: “Boy’s Botched Circumcision Leads to $4.6 million Award,’ Bill Hetherman, Press Telegram. www.presstelegram.com/breakingnews/ci_1850080.

Case Number: 11
Settlement Amount: $2.75 million
Name of case: Terry W. Felice, Sr. v. State of Louisiana through the Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and Valley Lab of Boulder, Colorado
Hospital/Physician: W.O. Moss Regional Hospital, Louisiana
Place: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Date of Court Decision: 1986
Plaintiff: Jeffrey Felice
Plaintiff’s attorney: David A. Fraser
Description: The family of a then two-year-old boy, whose penis had to be amputated after it was severely burned during a circumcision performed at a state-run hospital, has won a $2.75 million award from the State of Louisiana and the Valley Lab of Boulder, Colorado. The judge awarded a total of $18,969 in special damages to the boy’s parents for medical expenses and $100,000 in general damages, and $1.73 million to the victim. The judge said in his oral ruling that he felt Valley Labs was not negligent in providing warnings about the surgical instrument. Jurors disagreed and found Valley Labs 30 percent responsible for the injuries to the child. The juries awarded the boy a total of $2.75 million.
Citation: “Family gets $2.75 million in wrongful surgery suit”, Lake Charles American Press, Wednesday, May 28, 1986; “$250,000 Is Not Enough,” Martin Dyckman, St. Petersburg Times, June 22, 2003.

Case Number: 12
Settlement Amount: $2.3 million
Name of case: D. P., Jr. v. Dr. Cheryl Kendall (pediatrician) and Dr. Haiba Sonyika (surgeon who performed circumcision)
Hospital/Physician: South Fulton Medical Center in East Point
Place: Fulton County, Georgia
Date of Trauma: November 6, 2004
Date of Court Decision: March 2009
Plaintiff: D.P., Jr. et al.
Plaintiff’s attorney: David Llewellyn
Description: severed tip of penis; lost part of glans. $1.8 million awarded to boy and $500,000 to boy’s mother.
Citation: “$2.3M awarded in suit over botched circumcision” by Ty Tagami, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Monday, March 30, 2009. Also Jury verdict, D.P. Jr. v. Haiba Sonyika, Fulton County Civil Action File 2006EV001125-5

Case Number: 13
Settlement Amount: $2.3 million
Place: Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Date of Trauma: April 13, 1983
Date of Court Decision: April 1994
Plaintiff’s attorney: Edward E. Kelly of Barron & Stadfeld in Boston
Description: Structured settlement prior to trial after 2-day-old infant plaintiff circumcised using Plastibell. Infant developed severe swelling in area of Plastibell and then rare and aggressive infection known as Fournier’s gangrene that resulted in severe scarring and loss of scrotal sac. Plaintiff’s testicles became embedded in his body and could not be removed. Child now has silicone implants while his testicles remain in his abdomen.
Citation: “$2,300,000 Recovery – Medical Malpractice – Defendant Obstetrician Allegedly Negligent in Using Improper Circumcision Technique on Infant Plaintiff,” National Jury Verdict Review & Analysis, vol. 9 issue 5 (April 1994), pp. 10-12

Case Number: 14
Settlement Amount: $2.25 million
Name of case: Doe v. Shrom. 664 A.2d 102 (Penn. 1995).
Date of Court Decision: 1995
Description: A trial court’s $2.25 million award was reinstated for an adult circumcision that rendered sexual intercourse impossible and reduced penis in size by four inches.
Citation: Doe v. Shrom. 664 A.2d 102 (Penn. 1995).

Case Number: 15
Settlement Amount: $1.5 million
Hospital/Physician: Unsupervised second year obstetrics and gynecology resident, name unknown
Place: New York County, New York
Date of Court Decision: February 2006
Description: A two-day-old infant underwent circumcision by an unsupervised second-year ObGyn resident. The resident removed a substantial portion of glans tissue. Despite two subsequent repair surgeries, the infant was left with a deformed penis and altered urine flow. The jury awarded the plaintiff $1.5 million.
Citation: “Unsupervised resident performed circumcision,” OBG Management, February 2006 (volume 18, no. 2).

Case Number: 16
Settlement Amount: $1.5 million
Name of case: Unknown v. Dr Robert L. Hyde
Hospital/Physician: Dr Robert L. Hyde
Place: Tucson, Arizona
Date of Trauma: Fall of 1976
Date of Court Decision: August 1990
Plaintiff: Unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: William T. Healy
Description: A Tucson youth whose congenitally deformed penis was damaged in allegedly bungled operations, including a circumcision, has won a $1.5 million settlement.
Citation: Dan Huff, “Youth gets $1.5 million for bungled operations”, The Arizona Daily Star, August 1990, page unknown.

Case Number: 17
Settlement Amount: $1.42 million
Name of case: Unknown v. University of California at Davis Medical Center, CA
Hospital/Physician: University of California at Davis Medical Center, CA
Place: Sacramento, CA
Date of Trauma: January 19, 1994
Date of Court Decision: June 2001
Plaintiff: 7-year old boy; Name unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Mark Blake
Description: A jury awarded $1.42 million to a 7-year-old boy for a botched circumcision performed without the parents’ consent by a first-year resident at the University of California at Davis Medical Center.
Citation: “$1.42 million for bad circumcision”, San Diego Union Tribune, June 7, 2001; and “$1.42 million awarded for bad circumcision”, SF Chronicle, June 7, 2001; and “1.4 Million Award for botched circumcision”, Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 9, 2001; and “1.4M awarded for botched circumcision,” Associated Press, publication date unknown.

Case Number: 18
Settlement Amount: $1.36 million
Hospital/Physician: Marc S. Feldstein, M.D. and Northwestern Women’s Health Associates, S.C
Place: Chicago, IL
Date of Trauma: October 4, 2007
Date of Court Decision: May 2013
Plaintiff: Daniel Burden
Plaintiff’s attorney: Timothy S. Tomasik and Daniel M. Kotin
Description: $1.36 million verdict on medical malpractice case for newborn baby boy who suffered amputation of the tip of his penis during Mogen Clamp circumcision resulting in scarring and altered sensation in the future.
Citation: “Seven-Figure Verdict in “Botched” Circumcision Case,” Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC (press release), May 29, 2013.

Case Number: 19
Settlement Amount: $1.33 million (UKP 800,000)
Hospital/Physician: John Pryor, Lister Hospital, Central London, UK
Place: Central London
Date of Trauma: December 1994
Date of Court Decision: November 27, 1998
Plaintiff: James Williams
Plaintiff’s attorney: Nicholas Leviseur
Description: Former British Airways pilot settled after claiming life was destroyed by circumcision performed to improve his sex life and reverse effects of a childhood circumcision that caused discomfort during intercourse. He was discharged prematurely on Christmas Eve 1994. Circumcision left him “grossly genitally mutilated” as he suffered “most appalling injuries” to abdomen and genitals. Lost job after Civil Aviation Authority withdrew his pilot’s license. Marriage ended and he lost access to three daughters and became homeless.
Citation: “Sex operation pilot settles for UKP800,000,” Daniel Waddell, Telegraph, 27 November 1998.

Case Number: 20
Settlement Amount: $1.26 million structured settlement
Name of case: Withheld
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Place: Unknown
Date of Trauma: September 3, 1994
Date of Court Decision: August 5, 2003
Plaintiff: Unknown African-American boy
Plaintiff’s attorney: Eric J. Parker and Susan M. Bourque of Parker, Scheer, in Boston
Description: Massachusetts state district court judge Michael Ponsor approved a $1.26 million structured settlement for a botched circumcision performed on a two-day-old African-American boy on September 3, 1994. Portion of glans amputated by Mogen clamp. Victim lost tissue of 5 mm by 4 mm. Defendant failed to request or recommended needed surgical repair.
Citation: “Circumcision is Botched, Repair Never Recommended–$1.26 Million Settlement,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, December 8, 2003, page B6; also listed in an issue of New England Jury Verdict Review and Analysis for which I don’t have the exact citation.

Case Number: 21
Settlement Amount: $1.2 million
Name of case: Unknown v. Rabbi Mordechai Mozes, Dr Frederick Greenstein, Brook Plaza Surgical Ambulatory Center of Brooklyn, Agudath Israel of America.
Hospital/Physician: Brook Plaza Surgical Ambulatory Center of Brooklyn, New York
Place: New York
Date of Trauma: July 1990
Date of Court Decision: November 29, 1995
Plaintiff: Name unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Stephen Meyers (Law Firm Jacoby and Meyers)
Description: An 8-year-old Russian immigrant whose penis was shortened during a circumcision has reached a $1.2 million settlement with several defendants, including a Lakewood rabbi who performed the operation.
Citation: “Boy gets $1.2 million for circumcision”, Asbury Park Press, Thursday, November 30, 1995; and “$1.2 mil for botched cut” New York Post, November 29, 1995, page 73; and “Botched bris costs 1.2M”, Daily News, Wednesday, November 29, 1995, page 50C; and “$1.2 Million Accord in Circumcision Suit,” New York legal newspaper on or about December 4, 1995; and “$1,200,000 Recovery-Medical Malpractice/Informed Consent-Failure to Advise Parents of Three-Year-Old that Mohel Rather than Physician would be Performing Circumcision – Severance of Head of Penis,” Medical Litigation Alert, vol. 4 issue 11 (July 1996), pp. 23-25.; and “Boy awarded $1.2 million in botched circumcision mutilation lawsuit,” Fox Television News and Associated Press, November 30, 1995.

Case Number: 22
Settlement Amount: “over $1 million”
Plaintiff’s attorney: Daniel Malis
Description: Settlement of over $1 million in present and future payouts obtained for scarring caused by a relatively inexperienced family practitioner who botched a child’s circumcision by removing almost all of the skin covering the shaft of the child’s penis and then tried to conceal his error. The physician became confused and disoriented during the procedure and improperly readjusted a clamp that would have prevented this drastic mistake. He stopped bleeding by extensively using a chemical agent to cauterize the bleeding and traumatized skin and covered the wound with an over large bandage. He also reassured the child’s parents that the seeping wound was “normal” and would be “fine.” The child was rushed to a consultation with a pediatric urologist who repaired the damage with a skin graft.
Citation: Law Office of Daniel Malis, “Settlement Update: $1 million+ For Victim of Botched Circumcision – The Case of the Suspended Surgeon,” December 28, 2009.

Case Number: 23
Settlement Amount: $1 million
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Date of Court Decision: 1979
Plaintiff’s attorney: Joseph E. Thielen, Los Angeles, CA
Description: One month old infant developed meningitis two days after being circumcised. Brain damage. Unnecessary circumcision. Physician failed to obtain parent’s consent. Meningitis entered body through circumcision site. Settlement of $1,000,000.
Citation: Los Angeles County Superior Court, No. SOC 36797, September 1979. 17 Verdict Report 24 (April 8, 1980). The Exchange cases

Case Number: 24
Settlement Amount: $950,000 structured settlement
Name of case: R.K., A Minor, by his Father and Next Friend, T.K. v. William Preston, M.D.
Hospital/Physician: William Preston, M.D.
Place: Unknown
Date of Trauma: February 15, 1996
Date of Court Decision: December 28, 2001
Plaintiff: R.K., A Minor, by his Father and Next Friend, T.K.
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown
Description: Doctor sliced off a portion of the tip of his penis with a clamp used for holding it in place, necessitating a meatoplasty – plastic surgery – and skin grafting to effect a repair. This has allegedly caused a “malpositioning” of his urethra which makes sitting on a toilet necessary because the stream of urine now comes out at an angle.
Citation: http://www.malpracticeweb.com/preston_kil.htm

Case Number: 25
Settlement Amount: $880,000
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Armed-forces Doctor; Name unknown
Place: Seattle
Date of Trauma: 1973
Date of Court Decision: October 29, 1975
Plaintiff: Unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown
Description: Metal Gomco clamp caused severe burn and loss of penis. Victim was badly burned during a routine circumcision done by Air Force physician with Gomco clamp when he was five months old. Attempt to stop bleeding with electric cauterizing device which touched the clamp and severely burned the penis. Patient was then surgically changed to female. 3 year-old child received $750,000 in judgment and family received $100,000. Compensation also was ordered by Judge Walter McGovern of Seattle Federal District Court for medical expenses exceeding $30,000.
Citation: Morey and Associates book, page 1476. “Family is Awarded $850,000 for Circumcision Accident,” New York Times, November 1, 1975; and “Child awarded damages” Leader Post Regina, Saskatchewan, November 1975, and “Malpractice leads to sex change”, Philadelphia Inquirer, Friday, October 31, 1975. D. Wash., 1975. NY Times, November 2, 1975. Boston Globe, October 31, 1975. 32 Citation 61 (1976), 13 Verdict Reports 65 (1976). The Exchange cases

Case Number: 26
Settlement Amount: Structured settlement “in excess of $750,000”
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Place: Massachusetts, presumably near Milton
Date of Trauma: June 1997
Date of Court Decision: c. April 2003
Plaintiff: Unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Darin M. Colucci, Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, Milton, MA
Description: Section of glans penis amputated. Only slight cosmetic deficit. “Remarkable healing result.” Urethra remained intact. No decreased sensation as result.
Citation: “Verdicts and Settlements – Tip of Penis Amputated During Circumcision – Doctor Admits Mistake; Defense Later Questions Design of Clamp Used,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, May 19, 2003.

Case Number: 27
Settlement Amount: $750,000
Name of case: Truscello v. Raezer, 28 Phila. 544; 1994 Phila. Cty. Rptr. LEXIS 115
Hospital/Physician: David Raezer, M.D.
Place: Philadelphia
Date of Trauma: July 21, 1987
Date of Court Decision: August 31, 1994
Plaintiff: Anthony Truscello
Plaintiff’s attorney: James E. Beasley
Description: Adult underwent circumcision. After surgery, he developed chordee. To correct this, a penoplasty was performed to free his penis from his scrotum. He lost about three inches off the length of his penis and complains his sex life is hampered and diminished. He was awarded $1.5 million and his wife $750,000. As the couple has resumed sexual relations, though somewhat reduced in pleasure, the court found the verdict “shocking to the conscience.” Remittitur was to $500,000 to the husband and $250,000 to the wife.
Citation: See name of case.

Case Number: 28
Settlement Amount: $733,000
Name of case: Walter Joseph Witkowski v. Estate of Dr. Leon Greenwald
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Date of Court Decision: May 8, 1974
Description: Loss of glans penis after circumcision from improper use of Gomco clamp or negligent wrapping of penis after operation. Nine subsequent operations to remove scar tissue and daily attention to keep urinary tract open. $733,000 jury verdict.
Citation: Maryland, Baltimore Superior Court. 17 ATLA News L. 297 (1974) The Exchange cases. Also “$733,000 Damage Awarded Boy in Faulty Circumcision,” New York Times, May 8, 1974.

Case Number: 29
Settlement Amount: $700,000
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Place: Massachusetts
Date of Trauma: Unknown
Date of Court Decision: Approximately June 18, 2012
Plaintiff: Unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Paul J. Klehm, James B. Krasnoo and Benjamin L. Falkner, of Krasnoo|Klehm, Andover (for the plaintiffs)
Description: An 8-day-old baby suffered an amputation of a portion of the ventral glans of his penis at a Jewish brit milah circumcision ceremony, or bris, at a private residence. The plaintiffs maintained that the doctor/mohel was negligent in his performance of the procedure. The doctor/mohel allegedly failed to re-examine the child between the ceremony and the time that the child left for the hospital. Upon arrival, the child was rushed to an operating room for emergency surgery as a result of an amputation of his ventral glans and a traumatic hypospadias, or damage to the opening of the urethra. The child was released from the hospital the following day with a catheter inserted into his penis, only to return to the hospital later that night because the catheter had fallen out. After a lengthy effort to re-insert the catheter, during which time the child screamed in agony, a decision was made to have family members insert a tube into the child’s penis numerous times a day over a 10-day period. The child has experienced night terrors and may require further surgery for medical and/or cosmetic reasons. His parents, who claimed to have suffered severe emotional distress, fear the emotional difficulties the child will face as he matures.
Citation: “Infant Sustains Partial Amputation During Bris,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, June 21, 2012

Case Number: 30
Settlement Amount: c. $525,000
Name of case: Adult plaintiff to whom I (Steven Svoboda) spoke in early 2003; case ended up being handled by Llewellyn and Bonner
Place: Los Angeles, CA
Date of Trauma: Early 2003?
Date of Court Decision: Adjudicators reached final decision in August 2003
Plaintiff: Ask David Llewellyn or Charles Bonner
Plaintiff’s attorney: David Llewellyn and Charles Bonner
Description: I believe this was the case of an adult in Los Angeles who spoke to me first and then had DL and CB both as his lawyers. They won an adjudication for just over a half million dollars; the decision came through in August 2003 while CB and I were litigating Armatas.
Citation: I believe I ran a small note about this in the December 2003 ARC Newsletter. No other press I know of.

Case Number: 31
Settlement Amount: $435,000 plus all lifetime medical bills paid for
Name of case: Allan A. Ervin (infant) and mother Stacey Stroble
Hospital/Physician: Spartanburg Regional Medical Center
Place: Columbia, South Carolina
Plaintiff: Allan A. Ervin
Plaintiff’s attorney: Charles Rice
Description: Boy born in July 1985 and on life support while in coma from December 1985 until his death in July 1992 after brain damaged from oxygen deprivation during circumcision. Boy’s problems began when oxygen was pushed into his stomach instead of his lungs. Anesthesiologists inserted a tube into his stomach to relieve pressure but administered three times recommended dosage of drug to slow abnormally high heart rate, stopping it.
Citation: “Boy in coma most of his 6 years dies,” Associated Press, The State (Columbia, SC), July 10, 1992, p. 5-B

Case Number: 32
Settlement Amount: $429,484
Name of case: O’Hara v. Berberich
Hospital/Physician: Mohel, presumably named Berberich
Place: Alameda County, CA
Date of Trauma: Unknown
Date of Court Decision: October 2009
Plaintiff: O’Hara
Plaintiff’s attorney: David B. Baum
Description: Tip of infant’s penis was severed by a Mohel preforming a circumcision at a bris.
Citation: Alameda County Superior Court, Alameda County, CA

Case Number: 33
Settlement Amount: “Structured settlement with present value of $350,000”
Plaintiff’s attorney: Jeffrey E. Rossman, Boston, MA
Description: Structured settlement with a present value of $350,000 for a negligent circumcision performed on a 6-year-old boy. Plaintiff was admitted to hospital by defendant pediatric surgeon for an elective circumcision. Three months later, plaintiff’s parents noticed that his penis was shorter than his 4-year-old brother’s and took him to a pediatric urologist, who upon examination, determined that the penis was trapped and nonconcealed as a result of an improper circumcision. A penoplasty and subsequent followup surgery were performed. Plaintiff’s prognosis is considered guarded although he appears to have full functional control of his penis. Plaintiff sued two pediatric surgeons for breach of contract, abandonment and deceit for the negligently performed circumcision. Evidence revealed that although defendant was listed as operating surgeon on all hospital documents, billing and the discharge slip, the surgery was actually performed by a surgical resident seven weeks out of medical school who had performed only two or three circumcisions. Further, even though one of the defendants was listed in the operative logs as having supervised the resident he was simultaneously logged into an adjacent operating room. The settlement was structured as follows: plaintiff will receive $26,000 cash payment and $15,000 a year from 1992 for life, guaranteed for 28 years. In addition, plaintiff will receive guaranteed future lump sum payments totaling $220,000.
Citation: Suffolk County Superior Court, No. 54949, Dec. 7, 1983: 234-35. The Exchange cases.

Case Number: 34
Settlement Amount: $327,749
Date of Trauma: Unknown
Date of Court Decision: 1997
Description: Jury award after infant suffered removal of too much skin in circumcision, which was made worse by actions of a second surgeon.
Citation: Clark v. Lu, Kankakee Illinois Circuit Court (1997), Also referenced by David Llewellyn on p. 72 of Flesh and Blood Springer book

Case Number: 35
Settlement Amount: $290,000
Name of case: Mo. Clay County Circuit Court #CV183-1665CC
Hospital/Physician: Rabbi Joseph Schischa, Golders Green, a member of “The Initiation Society”, experts in ritual circumcision.
Plaintiff’s attorney: Max Von Erdmannsdorff and James E. Patterson
Description: $290,000 verdict (plaintiff parents’ recover reduced by 10%) for infant whose penis was deformed after defendant doctors performed circumcision on him. Alleged negligence in use of plastic bell circumcision device.
Citation: Suffolk County Superior Court, No. 54949, Dec. 7, 1983: 234-35. The Exchange cases.

Case Number: 36
Settlement Amount: $272,000 (New Israeli Shekels 1.18 million)
Name of case: Anonymous v. Rabbi Mehumar Tzubari, Gan Yavneh religious council, Gan Yavneh local council, and Religious Affairs Ministry, Rishon Letzion Magistrate’s Court
Hospital/Physician: Rabbi Mehumar Tzubari
Place: Gan Yavneh, Israel
Date of Trauma: April 1995
Date of Court Decision: December 14, 2004
Plaintiff: Anonymous child and parents
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown
Description: Former rabbi ordered to pay child and parents NIS 1.18 million in damages after child left severely disfigured when circumcised by rabbi. A few hours after the ceremony, the mother realized that the tip of the child’s penis was black. Rabbi told mother not to worry and that “everything will be fine.” After several days in hospital, doctors diagnosed gangrene in penis tip. Penis tip lost, penis became trapped, and two years later infant underwent surgery in Israel that failed, then in 2000 world renowned surgeon failed to restore penis to normal.
Citation: “Rabbi ordered to pay NIS 1.18 million for botched circumcision,” by Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz, http://www.haaretz.com/news/rabbi-ordered-to-pay-nis-1-18-million-for-botched-circumcision-1.143819

Case Number: 37
Settlement Amount: $256,000
Name of case: Martez Carpenter & Phyllis Carpenter v. United States of America
Hospital/Physician: Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, Oakland, CA; Dr Tam (pediatrician)
Place: Oakland, California
Date of Trauma: July 3, 1991
Date of Court Decision: December 3, 1994
Plaintiff: Martez Carpenter
Plaintiff’s attorney: Neil C. Newson (Neil C. Newson & Associates)
Description: During the course of an elected circumcision a pediatrician amputated approximately 30% of the distal glans penis of a newborn child.
Citation: Martez Carpenter & Phyllis Carpenter v. United States of America, CV93 7182 ER (1994); and “$256,000 Verdict,” Medical Litigation Alert (Newark, NJ), vol. 3, no. 7 (March 1995), p. 29.

Case Number: 38
Settlement Amount: $255,000 (600,000 Turkish lira)
Date of Court Decision: January 20, 2015
Description: Boy had large portion of his penis removed and burnt off in a botched circumcision operation. The boy, who is now six, underwent the operation when he was one year old in a mass circumcision ceremony for boys from disadvantaged families in the south-eastern Turkish city of Batman.
Citation: “Record Award for Family of Turkish Boy Whose Circumcision Was Botched,” The Guardian, January 20, 2015, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/20/turkey-botched-circumcision-record-award

Case Number: 39
Settlement Amount: $239,000 (AUD 360,000.00)
Place: Australia
Date of Trauma: 1973
Date of Court Decision: December 1999
Plaintiff: “John” (Shane Peterson)
Plaintiff’s attorney: Hayden Stephens (Law Firm Slater and Gordon)
Description: A Perth man has won a $360,000.00 (AUD) damages payout after a Western Australian doctor admitted he botched a circumcision operation which left the man with a badly deformed penis.
Citation: “The cruel cut that ruined a man’s life” The Sunday Times, Sydney, Australia, December 26, 1999; “Assaulted and Mutilated,” www.historyofcircumcision.net and Sydney Plenum book.

Case Number: 40
Settlement Amount: $230,000
Name of case: Eric Dickson Keefe v. US Department of the Interior
Hospital/Physician: Dr. Lehmann, Indian Health Service
Place: Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota
Date of Trauma: June 14, 2008
Date of Court Decision: early April 2011
Plaintiff: Eric Dickson Keefe
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown
Description: Rosebud Indian Reservation infant, whose father was employed by the Indian Health Service, bled to death on June 14, 2008 after being circumcised at the age of six weeks. Case settled out of court.
Citation: “Circumcision Death Case Settles for $230,000 – Native American Boy Bleeds to Death,” April 8, 2011 by ICGI, https://web.archive.org/web/20150302171155/http://www.icgi.org/2011/04/230000-circumcision-wrongful-death-lawsuit-settles/

Case Number: 41
Settlement Amount: $215,000 (R2.2m)
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Vryheid Hospital
Place: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Date of Trauma: October 2009
Date of Court Decision: June 19, 2013 (award within 14 days of)
Plaintiff: Unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown
Description: The parents of a boy whose circumcision was botched at a Vryheid hospital were awarded R2.2 million to be paid within 14 days by the provincial Health Department, Deputy Judge President Achmat Jappie ordered in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday.
Citation: “South African Circumcision Results in $215,000 Award” Sharika Regchand, June 20, 2013, The Mercury (South Africa)

Case Number: 42
Settlement Amount: $215,000 ($275,000.00 AUD )
Name of case: McKibbin v. St Margaret’s Hospital for Women (Sydney), Supreme Court of New South Wales (BC8701368 – decided May 14, 1987 – unreported case), CA 325 of 1985 (Court of Appeal), CL11784 of 1979
Hospital/Physician: St Margaret’s Hospital for Women
Place: Sydney, Australia
Date of Trauma: February 10, 1966
Date of Court Decision: May 14, 1987
Plaintiff: Unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown
Description: A 21-year-old man has won a $275,000 damages award from a Sydney hospital to compensate him for the loss of one-third of his penis when circumcised negligently as a six-days-old baby.
Citation: “Court allows $275,000 award over circumcision” The Age, Friday, May 15, 1987, page 4.

Case Number: 43
Settlement Amount: $210,000
Description: Newborn diagnosed as having microphallus. Recommendation to avoid circumcising neonate written in hospital chart by pediatric endocrinologist. However, pediatrician who performed the procedure 6 months later was not aware of this note. Postoperative course included infection, obstructive scarring and penile shaft denudation. Repair by numerous urethral dilations and 2-stage scrotal skin graft was required. Additionally, experts testified that hair-bearing graft skin on the penile shaft would cause the child permanent psychological damage. Settlement.
Citation: Morey and Associates book, p. 1476

Case Number: 44
Settlement Amount: $200,924
Name of case: Clayborn Matthew Wilson, Mary Wilson and Clay Wilson v. Gary F. Lockwood, M.D., 711 S.W.2d 545 (1986)
Hospital/Physician: Gary F. Lockwood, M.D., St. Luke’s Hospital, Kansas City, MO
Place: Kansas City, MO
Date of Trauma: February 18, 1983
Date of Court Decision: May 27, 1986
Plaintiff: Clayborn Matthew Wilson
Plaintiff’s attorney: James E. Patterson, Jr. and Max Von Erdmannsdorff, Von Erdmannsdorff & Zimmerman, Kansas City, MO
Description: Neonate circumcised three days after birth on February 18, 1983. Plastibell had to be surgically removed on March 11, 1983. Apparently the device did not fall off but slipped onto the shaft of the child’s penis where it became entrapped and had a strangling effect on the shaft as the penis grew, making a circumferential scar. Doctor appealed trial court verdict of $200,000 for child and $100,000 for parents. The court upheld the child’s award and largely rejected the award to the parents, awarding them only $924. The parents were found 10% responsible.
Citation: See name of case.

Case Number: 45
Settlement Amount: $150,000
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Date of Court Decision: 1952
Description: Loss of penis from third degree burns during circumcision. Jury verdict of $200,000. Remittitur to $150,000.
Citation: Cir. Ct., Shelby County, Tennessee. 11 NACCA LJ 235 (1951) The Exchange cases.

Case Number: 46
Settlement Amount: $137,500
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Date of Court Decision: 1981
Plaintiff’s attorney: Ralph D. Drayton, Sacramento, CA
Description: Following elective circumcision performed by defendant urologist, plaintiff noted incomplete erection of penis. Cavernosagram revealed blood supply to corpus cavernosa was blocked at site where anesthesia had been injected. Plaintiff alleged that the anesthetic, lidocaine with epinephrine, was contraindicated and the injection was made too close to the distal end of the corpus cavernosa. $137,500 settlement for 24-year-old with sexual dysfunction who had undergone unsuccessful corrective surgery.
Citation: Sacramento County Superior Court, No. 266439, April 7, 1981. 24 ATLA L. Rep. 331-332 (1981). The Exchange cases.

Case Number: 47
Settlement Amount: $125,000
Place: Kentucky
Date of Court Decision: 2005
Plaintiff’s attorney: David Llewellyn
Description: Wrongful circumcision
Citation: David told me about this personally in June 2005. Also cited on p. 224 of the Seattle book in David’s article, “Winning and Losing on the Circuit,” which is on my hard drive

Case Number: 48
Settlement Amount: $114,984
Name of case: Douglas Lewis, M.D. v. Jayne Hunter and Chase Allen Hunter, Minor
Hospital/Physician: Douglas Lewis, M.D.
Place: Gainesville, Texas
Date of Trauma: August 27, 1997
Date of Court Decision: April 10, 2002
Plaintiff: Jayne Hunter, individually and as next friend of Chase Allen Hunter, Minor
Plaintiff’s attorney: Unknown
Description: Texas state appeals court upheld award to plaintiffs for future medical expenses after botched circumcision.
Citation: 2002 WL 531484 (Tex.App.-Dallas), 2002 Tex. App. LEXIS 2536, April 10, 2002, Court of Appeals of Texas, Dallas No. 05-01-01035-CV

Case Number: 49
Settlement Amount: $110,000
Name of case: Unknown
Hospital/Physician: Unknown
Place: Massachusetts
Date of Trauma: February 17, 1997
Date of Court Decision: September 2003
Plaintiff: Unknown
Plaintiff’s attorney: Gregg J. Pasquale and Melissa A. White, Keches & Mallen, Taunton, Massachusetts
Description: Settled after newborn circumcision caused baby’s penis to bleed profusely, requiring several sutures. His mehatocrit dropped from 45.9 to 34.1 after the circumcision. Pediatric urologist examined him after discharged and noted that his penis was virtually devoid of shaft skin. In October 1998, the infant underwent reconstructive surgery by urologist. Additional reconstructive procedure was necessary to attempt to rectify damage done during circumcision. Supposedly no loss of sensation or function. Scarring resulted as did pain and suffering during initial and subsequent procedures.
Citation: “Excess Skin Removed During Infant’s Circumcision,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, February 23, 2004, 32 MLW 1344.

Case Number: 50
Settlement Amount: $100,000
Description: Infant wrongfully circumcised in Virginia.
Citation: Cited on p. 224 of the Seattle book in David’s article, “Winning and Losing on the Circuit,” which is on my hard drive

Case Number: 51
Settlement Amount: $82,352
Name of case: Unknown v. Dr. Sandra Chenkin
Hospital/Physician: Quincy Medical Center, Quincy, MA
Place: Quincy, MA
Date of Trauma: August 1997
Date of Court Decision: January 5, 2001
Description: Parents told hospital that they did not want their son circumcised. Nevertheless the procedure was performed the day after he was born. Under settlement’s terms, the parents received $14,418 and their lawyer was paid $20,000. The child will collect four annual payments of $20,588 starting on his 18th birthday, for a total of $82,352.
Citation: $80,000 Settlement to Circumcised Boy,” by Sue Reinert, Patriot Ledger, January 5, 2001.

Case Number: 52
Settlement Amount: $65,000.00
Name of case: Eva Brown (Child’s mother) v. Dr Lynn Whittington and Jackson Hospital
Hospital/Physician: Jackson Hospital, Montgomery; Dr Lynn Whittington
Place: Montgomery, AL
Date of Trauma: February 8, 1992
Date of Court Decision: 1995
Plaintiff: Eva Brown (Child’s mother)
Plaintiff’s attorney: David Llewellyn
Description: A 3-year old boy has won a $65,000 damages award ($10,000 for past damages such as pain and suffering; $55,000 for future damages) from a Montgomery hospital to compensate him for a wrongful circumcision in 1992 without his mother’s consent.
Citation: Sean Salman, “Jury finds hospital guilty of negligence,” – Montgomery Advertiser, Friday, July 21, 1995, page 1B.

Case Number: 53
Settlement Amount: $60,000
Name of case: Ruiz-Castillo v. Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Santa Clara Superior Court, California, No. 648925.
Hospital/Physician: Kaiser Permanente Hospital
Place: Santa Clara, California area
Date of Trauma: Early 1990’s
Date of Court Decision: Early 1990’s
Plaintiff: Ruiz-Castillo
Plaintiff’s attorney: Charles Bonner
Description: Case settled after plaintiff wrongfully circumcised.
Citation: Ruiz-Castillo v. Kaiser Permanente Hospital, Santa Clara Superior Court, California, No. 648925. Also referenced by David Llewellyn on pp. 71-72 of Flesh and Blood Springer book.

Case Number: 54
Settlement Amount: Canadian $45,000
Date of Trauma: September 26, 1974
Date of Court Decision: October 28, 1988
Description: Damages of $45,000 for negligent circumcision at age 12.
Citation: Bera v. Marr, [1988] B.C.J. No. 1967

Case Number: 55
Settlement Amount: $40,000
Name of case: Barry v. Telander.
Hospital/Physician: Dr. Telander, Pediatric Surgical Associates, Ltd. and Children’s Health Care, a Minnesota non-profit corporation d/b/a Children’s Hospital of St. Paul
Place: St. Paul, MN
Date of Trauma: June 9, 1995
Date of Court Decision: July 30, 1998 arbitration award, upheld by court on August 17, 1999.
Plaintiff: Paul Barry and father Kevin Barry
Plaintiff’s attorney: Zenas Baer
Description: Patient had to have gastrostomy at two weeks of age. Parents refused to consent to doing circumcision at the same time. Nurse went out to again ask parents to consent. They refused. Upon her return, the doctor interpreted her silence as having obtained their consent and performed the circumcision.
Citation: Arbitration award upheld in Barry v. Telander, 1999 WL 619020 (Minn. App. August 17, 1999).

Case Number: 56
Settlement Amount: $36,400
Name of case: Jacob Allen Kadel by and through Misty Bartu v. Paul Zlotnik, M.D.
Hospital/Physician: Paul Zlotnik, M.D.; Unknown Hospital
Place: San Diego area
Date of Trauma: September 12, 1992
Date of Court Decision: October 31, 1994 trial; verdict reached.
Plaintiff: Jacob Allen Kadel by and through Misty Bartu
Plaintiff’s attorney: Todd E. Macaluso, Scholthauer, Collins & Macaluso
Description: Defendant cut off tip of plaintiff’s (young boy’s) penis resulting in disfigurement but without loss of function.
Citation: Tri-Service, May 8, 1995, p. 10.

Case Number: 57
Settlement Amount: $33,000 (= Canadian $40,000)
Date of Court Decision: 1988
Description: A Vancouver urologist paid $40,000 in damages to a patient who required plastic surgery as an adult because of a circumcision performed when the patient was 12 years old.
Citation: Eleanor LeBourdais, “Circumcision No Longer a ‘Routine’ Surgical Procedure,” Canadian Medical Association Journal v. 152 no. 11 pp. 1873-1876 (June 1, 1995)

Case Number: 58
Settlement Amount: $30,000
Name of case: Milshtein v. Arthur Rosenwasser and Allstate Insurance
Hospital/Physician: Arthur Rosenwasser, who is trained under Hebrew law as a circumciser.
Place: West Palm Beach
Date of Trauma: May 28, 1980
Date of Court Decision: October 1981
Plaintiff: Milshtein
Plaintiff’s attorney: Jack Scarola
Description: A Jewish baby boy has won a $30,000 settlement from Allstate Insurance to compensate him for the loss of a part of his penis in a circumcision conducted by a Hebrew teacher.
Citation: “Agreement settles controversial case”, The Evening Times, West Palm Beach, 11/10/1981, Section B, page 1.

Case Number: 59
Settlement Amount: Not disclosed
Name of case: William Stowell v. Good Samaritan Hospital
Hospital/Physician: Good Samaritan Hospital
Place: West Islip, New York
Date of Trauma: Early 1980’s
Date of Court Decision: Early 2000’s
Plaintiff: William Stowell
Plaintiff’s attorney: David Llewellyn
Description: This is the first, and as of 2022, the only known legal case in which a person sued successfully for a male circumcision involving neither lack of parental permission (sometimes inaccurately called “consent”) nor a botch, meaning a worse outcome than usual.
Citation: “Circumcised – Sues and Wins”, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8szj1jFCWM>; and Good Morning America interview, “Sues after Forced Circumcision”, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMCaO1SW-dE>; and ABC News, “Man Sues for Loss of Foreskin”, <https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=127183>