Circumcision Error Malpractice Lawyers

Circumcisions are procedures performed with the purpose of removing the foreskin for medical and religious purposes and almost one in every three men in the United States is circumcised at some point in his lifetime. In addition to being a religious ritual, circumcisions may reduce the chance of infection later on in life as the removal of the foreskin helps prevent the buildup of bacteria, yeast and fungal agents in the urinary tract. When performed incorrectly, however, circumcisions can result in deformities, impaired penile function and emotional trauma which must be endured for the remainder of the victim’s life.

Injuries Sustained Due to Circumcision Error

Many circumcisions are performed by a mohel or other religious cantors when performed as part of a bris or other religious ritual. In other instances, the circumcision is performed by a medical doctor later on in life if deemed necessary to alleviate medical concerns or for the treatment of chronic infections. Regardless of the reasons for circumcision, it is possible to cause serious damage when the person performing the procedure makes a mistake. The injuries that result include the following.

• Infection of the penis, urinary tract or the area of circumcision which may result in additional medical complications.


• Pain, discomfort, and inflammation of the penis and genitalia resulting from infections.


• Meatal stenosis, which is a condition in which the urethral opening is narrowed, causing painful urination and sexual function.


• Blood loss and excessive bleeding in the urinary tract or at the site of the operation.


• Permanent disfigurement or the formation of unsightly scars which could prove to be a source of embarrassment later on in life.


• Impotence or inability to get an erection or perform sexually.


• The insufficient removal of foreskin resulting in the need for an additional procedure or the removal of too much foreskin, resulting in deformity or damage to the penis.


• Retraction of or concealment of the penis, which may affect performance and be the source of emotional trauma.


• Necrosis of the penis, or the death of penile tissue which in severe cases may even result in the loss of the penis altogether.

Determining Negligence When Complications Arise Following a Circumcision

It can often be difficult to prove negligence in cases involving medical negligence and circumcision error cases are no different. For this reason, it is important to keep all records of the circumcision even if you don’t believe they are of any value to a potential lawsuit. A medical negligence attorney with experience handling circumcision error cases will review any records you have kept and assist you in determining proveable negligence that shows the injuries sustained by your child were the result of human error or malpractice.

The damages you may be entitled to include the cost of any corrective procedures deemed necessary to make your son functional or whole again, the pain and suffering that he must endure throughout his life because of his injuries and any additional financial losses that you or your son may incur due to his injuries. The emotional impact of these injuries is also taken into consideration because of the private and personal nature of these cases and the potential loss of consortium that may result from impotence, infertility or embarrassment.

Circumcision Malpractice Awards

$1,357,901 Verdict; Circumcision Malpractice; Cook County, Illinois

The events of this case took place in a Chicago hospital. The doctor performing the circumcision did not remove enough adhesions between the glans and the foreskin. Then, as he clamped down on the penis with a Mogen clamp and used a scalpel to make the incision, he cut too much. The child’s penis was amputated. He had to be transferred for emergency care. Despite best efforts, he still suffered disfigurement, lost feeling, and other problems because of the surgical error. The defendants claimed these risks were open and obvious. Further, they said they operated within the proper standard of care. A jury did not see it that way. They awarded the child over $1 million for medical bills, lost normal life, disfigurement, and suffering.

$190,000 Settlement; Circumcision Malpractice; Cook County, Illinois

The victim in this circumcision case was just a day old. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. The defendant doctor negligently performed the operation. The child required an amputation for a portion of his penis. The family brought suit on behalf of the child. They argued the physician did not work within the standard of care. Further, they argued that a reasonable doctor would not have done this. The defendant replied that he performed reasonably but this was a known risk. Eventually, the two sides settled their differences out of court. The plaintiffs received $190,00 for the child’s pain, scarring, and changed life.

$495,000 Settlement; Circumcision Malpractice; Cook County, Illinois

The plaintiff in this dispute was in his late forties. The trouble really began after the circumcision procedure. He began to experience pain and swelling around his penis. Doctors discovered he had gangrene. He also showed signs of disfigurement. The man sued his doctor. He alleged that the defendant did not provide competent follow-up care. He followed that this led to the gangrene, disfigurement, and the need for many future surgeries. He had already seven more follow-up procedures due to this issue. The results left him scarred and in pain among other things. This matter was not decided by a jury. The parties settled before that could happen. The plaintiff recovered $495,000 for his damages including medical bills, pain, disfigurement, and lost income.

$327,749 Verdict; Circumcision Malpractice; Cook County, Illinois

The controversy here involved a newborn baby. The circumcision was botched from the start. The doctor removed too much foreskin. That caused a syndrome known as buried penis. Further surgeries were required including a reconstruction and various vein closures. The consequence of all this was that the child would face a life of pain, discomfort, disfigurement, and other issues. His parents sued the doctor that performed the first surgery. That defendant suggested that the issue was congenital. He further stated that he operated reasonably but later surgeons complicated the problem. The jury decided that he was negligent. They awarded the child over $300,000 in damages for his various tangible and intangible harms.

Contact our Trusted Team of Experts

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have attorneys who have successfully prosecuted negligent physicians in Chicago circumcision lawsuits. Should the circumstance arise, we would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your case face to face and conduct an investigation into the matter to help you determine if pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit is in the best interest of your family and child. Contact us today to arrange a free and confidential consultation with one of our lawyers with absolutely no obligation. We will let you know what you can expect from the process of litigation as well as from us every step of the way should we be chosen to represent your interests moving forward.

Since our lawyers work on contingency, we will never collect payment for our services up front or otherwise unless we are able to collect compensation on your behalf. Therefore, if we are unable to assist you or fail to secure the damages that you are entitled to, you will owe us absolutely nothing for our advice and services.