Noe v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals

This is an action for damages because of an unauthorized circumcision. Defendants appealed from that portion of the judgment, entered on a jury verdict, which assessed punitive damages.

Plaintiff’s parents contracted with the defendant, Kaiser Foundations Health Plan of Oregon, for the furnishing of medical and hospital services to their family. The other defendants are corporations and individuals through whom the plan furnishes these services.

During a prenatal care conference with a doctor on the staff of the defendant, Permanente Clinic, plaintiff’s parents told the doctor that if the child…