Medical negligence and the right to respect for family life
JUDGMENT
İbrahim Keskin v. Turkey 27.03.2018 (no. 10491/12)
SUMMARY
Child birth and medical malpractice. Obstructive paralysis of the right brachial plexus was observed. Incorrect manipulations by the hospital staff at the birth of the child, resulting in his disability. Violation of the right to respect for private and family life
PROVISION
Article 8
PRINCIPAL FACTS
The applicant, İbrahim Keskin, is a Turkish national who was born in 1972 and lives in Sivas (Turkey).
The case concerned allegations of medical negligence committed by a hospital during the birth of a child. In January 2001 Mr Keskin’s wife gave birth to a daughter. Following a subsequent examination it transpired that the child was suffering from an obstetrical paralysis of the right brachial plexus. Four surgical operations were carried out and, according to a medical report of 2014, the child was declared 60% disabled. Mr Keskin brought criminal and civil proceedings but was unsuccessful.
Relying in particular on Articles 8 (right to respect for private and family life), the applicant argued that his daughter had been prevented from leading a normal life on account of medical negligence by the staff of the social security hospital in Sivas at the time of her birth.
THE DECISION OF THE COURT
Violation of Article 8
Just satisfaction: EUR 7,500 (non-pecuniary damage)(echrcaselaw.com editing).