Man loses damages bid in vasectomy case

A FATHER of seven who claims his life is a misery due to constant pain suffered since undergoing a vasectomy 17 years ago has lost his High Court claim for damages against the doctor who performed the procedure.

John Winston, 47, of Ratoath Avenue, Finglas West, Dublin, had sued Dr Niall O’Leary over the vasectomy carried out in July 1989.

Mr Winston had claimed negligence arising from an alleged failure by Dr O’Leary to warn him before the operation that there was a risk of contracting Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (PVPS). He said he should have been warned the operation carried a risk of chronic and persistent pain and had he been told that, he would never have gone ahead with the procedure.

Dr O’Leary, who has performed thousands of vasectomies, denied negligence.

Mr Justice John MacMenamin said there was “no doubt” that Mr Winston has suffered pain but he rejected the claim that Dr O’Leary had not provided information on the risks involved.

He concluded that, on the evidence, Dr O’Leary had not been negligent.