A man is trying to sue a hospital for $1 billion after he witnessed his wife’s cesarean section as he claims he suffered from ‘mental distress’ that eventually ended their marriage.
Anil Koppula claims that the hospital ‘breached a duty of care’ after he was ‘encouraged, or permitted, to observe the delivery.’
He insisted that seeing the insides of his wife led to a ‘psychotic illness’ and breakdown of their marriage. He is now seeking $1 billion in damages.
The Royal Women’s Hospital recognized its responsibility to provide a duty of care but it firmly denied breaching it.
According to the Herald Sun, Justice James Gorton dismissed the lawsuit and described it as an ‘abuse of process.’
The ruling was based on the law that does not allow for damages associated with non-economic loss unless the injury is categorized as a ‘significant injury.’
Koppula reportedly underwent a medical examination before it was determined by the panel that “the degree of psychiatric impairment resulting from the injury to the claimant alleged in the claim does not satisfy the threshold level.”
Koppula quickly disagreed with the decision of the panel but he decided not to request a review of the ruling. The hospital then filed a request to have the case dismissed.
Karleen Lee, an RN supervisor at healthcare company Banner Health, said that even though it is rare, some fathers might feel nauseous during the process.
“Remember to not jump up out of your seat too quickly and let the anesthesiologist or surgery team know if you are feeling a little faint,” she says.
“They have ways of helping dads, whether through conversation as a distraction or with an ammonia inhalant or smelling salts to prevent fainting.”
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