Published: 10:24 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2023 | Updated: 10:32 p.m. EDT, September 14, 2023
A father has tried to sue a hospital after claiming that watching his wife give birth to their child via caesarean section caused him to suffer from mental health problems.
Anil Koppula has taken legal action against Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital, seeking $1 billion in damages, after he watched his wife’s caesarean section in 2018.
He said he developed a “psychotic illness” after seeing his wife’s blood and organs and that watching the procedure led to the “collapse of his marriage.”
A father has tried to sue a hospital after claiming that watching his wife give birth to their child via caesarean section caused him to suffer from mental health problems.
“Mr. Koppula claims that he was encouraged or allowed to observe the delivery and that he saw his wife’s internal organs and blood while doing so… He says that the hospital breached the duty of care it owes him, and “This is the case.” “I have to pay him damages,” it says in the court documents.
Mr. Koppula, who represented himself in court, claimed that the hospital should be held liable for $1 billion in damages.
The Royal Women’s Hospital acknowledged its responsibility to uphold the duty of care but denied having breached it.
Judge James Gorton dismissed the lawsuit Tuesday, calling it an “abuse of process.” reports the Herald Sun.
According to the ruling, the law does not allow anyone to recover damages for intangible losses unless the injury is a “significant injury.”
Koppula underwent a medical examination and a panel found that “the degree of psychiatric impairment resulting from plaintiff’s injury alleged in the complaint does not meet the threshold.”
He disagreed with the panel’s decision but chose not to seek a review of their decision.
The hospital then requested that the proceedings be discontinued.
“I am therefore satisfied that the legal effect of the Medical Board’s decision is that Mr Koppula is simply unable as a matter of law to recover damages for non-economic losses,” Judge Gorton said.
A cesarean section is a surgical procedure in which a child is delivered through an incision in the mother’s abdominal wall and uterus. This surgical method is typically performed when vaginal delivery is deemed unsafe or not possible.
Caesarean sections are usually performed under anesthesia and the surgeon makes an incision through the abdominal muscles and uterus to deliver the child.
The man claimed he suffered “mental illness” after watching the birth of his child and sought $1 billion in damages
The hospital denied that they had caused the man significant psychological distress but admitted that proper duty of care had not been met
When a woman has a cesarean section, watching the process can be uncomfortable for some fathers, according to healthcare company Banner Health, which is not connected to the lawsuit.
“Although it’s rare, it can still leave some dads feeling a little uneasy — even if they can’t see what’s happening,” Karleen Lee, RN supervisor at Banner Health, said on the company’s website.
“Remember not to jump out of your seat too quickly and let the anesthetist or surgical team know if you feel a little weak.”
“There are ways you can help dads, whether it’s talking to distract you or using an ammonia inhalant or smelling salts to prevent fainting spells.”
