Q: My wife delivered twins boys on 14/4/02. We did two scans, one in end December and another in Mid February, but the Doctor did not notice twins. How is this possible to escape detection? Can I sue the doctor for negligence?

A:The fact whether a scan would necessarily provide information on the birth of twins is a medical fact which can only be answered by a medical specialist. Ordinarily if such information is available with a doctor it is good medical practice to provide the same to the expectant parents. However failure to provide such information can make the doctor liable for negligence only if the patient is able to show that the failure has resulted in damage. Without damage being established a case for negligence cannot be made out.