Damages awarded for failed vasectomy.

Abstract

In Thake v. Maurice, a British court ruled that a surgeon was liable for failing to warn a couple of the possibility of returned fertility after a vasectomy. In view of present policy on family planning, it was held that the birth of a healthy baby was not always a blessing; therefore, damages could be awarded for an unwanted birth. Because of the humble nature of the specific household, minimal damages for birth and upkeep were awarded. Brahams comments that damages would probably be higher for parents from a higher socioeconomic level.