Interesting case in Singapore:
A teen who had undergone surgery for the removal of a scar on her thigh is suing the plastic surgeon and the Specialist Surgery & Laser Centre for damages arising from emotional distress and personal trauma.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named had gone to the Orchard Road clinic to get a scar on her thigh removed, and was told that photos had to be taken of her – without her underwear – before the operation.
She is seeking damages in the High Court through her mother, who is in her 40s, alleging lack of informed consent, assault and negligence.
The defendants, Dr Huang and the Specialist Surgery & Laser Centre where he is a director, are contesting the claims. They argue the photos were necessary to compare pre- and post-operation conditions of the affected area.
The case is understood to be the first civil suit of its kind where the need for such procedures, involving photos taken in such a manner, has been brought before the courts to decide.
The teen’s mother, through lawyers Melanie Ho and Kylee Kwek from WongPartnership, also wants a court order for the return of all photos taken and any digital records in the clinic’s database to be destroyed.
Read more on The Temasek Review.