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Jury Chucks Man's Chopped Penis Lawsuit

Doc found life-threatening cancer during circumcision, did partial amputation

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2011 2:47 PM CDT

(Newser) – Yes, he sliced off part of a man’s penis—but he also saved the guy’s life, said a jury in an unusual Kentucky court battle. Philip Seaton, 64, sued Dr. John Patterson for “loss of service, love and affection" over a circumcision that took off more than Seaton would have liked,because Patterson found life-threatening cancer. But jurors say Seaton shouldn’t get a cent: He “has our sympathy,” said one. But at the same time, he’s alive today because this man did what he did, because this man performed the surgery.”

The jury took less than an hour to reach a 10-2 ruling rejecting Seaton’s claim of amputation without consent. “One of the main factors for us was he was going to have to have part of his penis removed regardless,” noted a juror. But Seaton plans to appeal the case, arguing the action was unjustified without imminent risk of death, the Courier-Journal reports. Seaton, his lawyer said in court, “has the right to decide what is going to happen to his penis.”

Attorney Clay Robinson speaks with Dr. John Patterson of Louisville, Ky., after jury selection Aug. 18, 2011 at the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville, Ky.
Attorney Clay Robinson speaks with Dr. John Patterson of Louisville, Ky., after jury selection Aug. 18, 2011 at the Shelby County Courthouse in Shelbyville, Ky.   (AP Photo/Brian Bohannon)
Dr. John Patterson testifies Monday, Aug. 22, 2011 in Shelby County Circuit courtroom in Shelbyville, Ky. Patterson, a Frankfort urologist, is accused of amputating a man's penis without consent.
Dr. John Patterson testifies Monday, Aug. 22, 2011 in Shelby County Circuit courtroom in Shelbyville, Ky. Patterson, a Frankfort urologist, is accused of amputating a man's penis without consent.   (AP Photo/Dylan Lovan)
Phillip Seaton, smiles as he talks with supporters after the the jury's verdict in his penis amputation trial Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, in Shelbyville, Ky.
Phillip Seaton, smiles as he talks with supporters after the the jury's verdict in his penis amputation trial Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, in Shelbyville, Ky.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 41 comments
youngblood
Aug 25, 2011 9:12 PM CDT
Wrong decision by this stupid jury. Patients should be consulted before having anything amputated by their doctor. I can't believe this jury sided with the doctor on this! 
Doughnut765
Aug 25, 2011 6:54 PM CDT
I would rather die of cancer than get my manhood chopped off.
truesoy
Aug 25, 2011 5:26 PM CDT
By law a doctor needs patient consent to perform any procedure. In this case the patient had given consent to a different procedure. End of argument. The doctor was wrong!. Second, how would the doctor know it was cancer? did somebody 'ran' to the lab with specimen from the patient's tissue? I doubt it. And besides there was NO immediate threat to the patients life to justify the doctor's action.. The jury was wrong  in arriving at that decision, and it is really scary to think people like this could decide anyone's fate. Though overall the jury system is a good one, it has some shortcomings. The only requirement, besides no criminal record, is to be one's peer. It has no knowledge , nor intelligence, nor common sense requirements. And that is how sometimes things don't go exactly as they should.

 
Kentucky • lawsuit • penis • amputation • strange stuff

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