Circumcision Law and Legal Definition
Circumcision refers to a surgery that removes the foreskin covering the glans of the penis. It is performed for religious or cultural reasons, or health reasons. Newborn circumcision reduces the risk for cancer of the penis and lowers the risk for cancer of the cervix in sexual partners. In addition to, the circumcision decreases the risk of urinary tract infections and lowers the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
The following is an example of a case law on circumcision surgery:
Where a circumcision results in injury to plaintiff, plaintiff may maintain an action against the hospital if there was reliance on the services of the facility. Although a circumcision performed as a religious ritual by a qualified person does not constitute the practice of the profession of medicine, negligence principles do apply and the person performing circumcision must meet professional standards of skill and care prevailing among those who perform circumcisions. In addition, the hospital can be held liable even if the services performed on its premises are rendered by an independent contractor, in the same manner as if there were a doctor/patient relationship, if there is reliance on the services of the facility. [Zakhartchenko v. Weinberger, 159 Misc. 2d 411 (N.Y. Misc. 1993)].
