Case against cosmetic surgeon reaches settlement

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Case against cosmetic surgeon reaches settlement
By Tanya Fong, TODAY | Posted: 25 October 2011 2116 hrs

http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20111025/martin.carolinechiae.jpg
A teen has settled her suit against well-known plastic surgeon Dr Martin Huang (above) for personal trauma and distress over photographs taken of her private parts prior to a scar-removal operation. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

SINGAPORE: The case between Dr Martin Huang, a famous cosmetic surgeon and his former teenage patient reached settlement in the High Court on Tuesday.

The 17-year-old patient, whose name has to be withheld because she is a minor, had alleged that Dr Huang, 50, was negligent and had committed trespass when her underwear was removed for photographs to be taken of the wound on her upper left thigh.

The pre-operative photographs were taken for scar revision surgery when the girl consulted Dr Huang last November.

She had earlier removed a mole on her thigh and wanted Dr Huang to correct the scar it left behind.

The girl alleged that she was only told of the need to remove her underwear for photographs just before it was pulled down by a female nurse.

She also alleged that when she used her hands to cover her private parts, Dr Huang asked her to stand against a wall and put her hands on her head and instructed the clinic photographer to take the photos.

Dr Huang submitted in his defence that the girl did not object to her underwear being removed and assisted the female nurses in doing so.

The court case, which was originally fixed for hearing for seven days, would have included expert opinion that photography of the operative site and areas surrounding the site without clothing was in accordance with accepted standard medical practice.

Lawyers for the girl and Dr Huang were in chambers with Justice Tan Lee Meng from 10:00 am on Tuesday to settle the matter, with the resolution finalised at 5:30 pm.

Senior Counsel Tan Chee Meng and Ms Melanie Ho said the girl and her parents felt vindicated.

Senior Counsel Tan said: "Our client has accepted the apology and expression of regret by Dr Huang for his conduct towards her. Our client is happy with the outcome and feels totally vindicated."

In a statement released to the media, Dr Huang said both parties "reached an amicable resolution on the express basis that it is without any admission of liability whatsoever".

- TODAY/cc

 

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Teen upset with doctor's remarks after settling lawsuit

Published on Oct 27, 2011​

A teenager who settled her lawsuit against well-known plastic surgeon Martin Huang for personal trauma and distress over photographs taken in the nude prior to a scar-removal operation, has been 'further distressed' by his remarks to the media after the settlement. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

By Khushwant Singh

A teenager who settled her lawsuit against well-known plastic surgeon Martin Huang for personal trauma and distress over photographs taken in the nude prior to a scar-removal operation, has been 'further distressed' by his remarks to the media after the settlement.

In an e-mail to the newspapers, her parents wrote: 'We had wanted to close this traumatic chapter in our daughter's life and was pleased with the settlement outcome on Tuesday.

Unfortunately, it was short lived and we are aggrieved by the position he has taken with the media which we feel is inconsistent with the terms and spirit of the settlement.'

The newspaper reports had caused the 17-year-old daughter to break down in tears.

Through her lawyer Melanie Ho she said: 'I will never ever forget what happened to me that day and throughout this case all I wanted is for him to accept his mistake and for this to never happen to anyone else. His remarks after the case reopened many wounds and really hurt me.'

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.