Varian v Einhorn

Varian v Einhorn
CourtNew York Supreme Court[1]
Full case name Fox Varian v. Kenneth Einhorn PhD et al[2]
DecidedJanuary 30, 2026[1]
Court membership
Judge sittingRobert S. Ondrovic[1][2]
Keywords

Varian v Einhorn was a New York lawsuit best known for being the first case of a detransitioner winning a medical malpractice suit in the United States. Varian was awarded $2 million in her case against her psychologist and surgeon.[3]

Background

At age 16, Fox Varian underwent a double mastectomy as masculinizing surgery as part of her transition.[3]

Verdict

Varian sued her psychologist, Kenneth Einhorn, and surgeon, Simon Chin. She was awarded $2 million in damages.

Reception

According to The New York Times, the lawyer who represented Varian sought to downplay the significance of the verdict stating "This was never a debate over the legitimacy of gender-affirming care... It was about whether medical professionals met the standards that covered their own profession." Dr. Schechter, the president-elect of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) testified that the initial treatment was based on "assumption and inference" and that the health providers failed to follow WPATH's Standards of Care for the Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse People.[3]

In the wake of the verdict, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons became the first major medical association in the U.S. to change its guidance on gender transition surgery for minors, recommending to its members that chest, genital, and facial surgeries not be performed until age 19.[3][4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Fox, Varian vs. Einhorn PhD, Kenneth et al". UniCourt.
  2. 1 2 "61150/2023 - Westchester County Supreme Court". New York State Courts Electronic Filing (NYSCEF).
  3. 1 2 3 4 Jacobs, Andrew (2026-02-03). "Woman Wins Malpractice Suit Over Gender Surgery as a Minor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
  4. ↑ Winfield Cunningham, Paige (3 February 2026). "First major medical group opposes gender transition surgeries for youth". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 February 2026.