A Colombian medical professional finds himself saddled with a hefty bill to financially underpin a child’s upbringing, a child unwittingly conceived despite his assurance of a successful vasectomy.
Dr. Diego Naranjo, a respected physician based in Medellin, Colombia, is now mandated by the courts to disburse millions in pesos, catering to the child’s expenses till the age of 18. This unforeseen financial burden stems from an apparently botched vasectomy, post which he had confidently stated to the patient that there was no longer a need for alternative birth control methods.
The aftermath? A surprised wife, an unplanned pregnancy, and a new baby. The fumbled vasectomy was unveiled when subsequent sperm tests belied Dr. Naranjo’s assurances. The distressed parents sued the doctor, asserting that his lapse had ignited profound emotional and economic distress.
The courts have now ruled in favor of the parents, placing the fiscal responsibility of the child on Dr. Naranjo until the child reaches adulthood.
The court judgment underlines, “The patient, assured of the vasectomy’s success, was not advised to adopt other contraceptive measures, culminating in an unforeseen pregnancy.” The court further underlines the impact on the parents who had no intentions of adding another member to their family. The event’s fallout had a significant bearing on their life plans, particularly underlining the father’s economic hardship. His health issues render him incapable of seeking employment.
The child’s father is battling a disabling ailment known as severe bilateral hearing loss. His condition incapacitates him, subjects him to bouts of dizziness and vomiting, and obligates him to rely on a hearing aid. Given his health status, the court ruled that the physician responsible for the unwanted pregnancy should bear the financial onus.
In light of the court’s ruling, Dr. Naranjo will have to make an astounding financial commitment. He’s ordered to remit 80 current minimum wages or 92 million pesos (equivalent to $20,300) for emotional distress, 60 million pesos ($13,200) towards legal charges, and a staggering 143 million pesos ($31,500) in child support.
Intriguingly, this medical debacle occurred back in 2012, and the child, a girl, was welcomed into the world in the subsequent year. Now at the age of 10, she leaves Dr. Naranjo with just eight more years of financial liability.
One wonders why the parents took nearly a decade to commence legal action against the doctor. Regardless, this serves as a stern reminder that professional accountability and precise procedures are not just ethical expectations, but legal obligations too.
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Source: Odditycentral