A former handyman has been awarded more than $400,000 in a lawsuit over a penile implant that gave him a 10-year erection.
Charles "Chick" Lennon received the steel and plastic implant in 1996, two years before Viagra went on the market. The implant called 'Dura-II' was designed to allow impotent men to position the penis upward for sex, then lower it.
But there was a problem, Lennon couldn't lower his penis downward! He said he could no longer hug people, ride a bike, swim or wear bathing trunks because of the pain and embarrassment.
"I don't know any man who for any amount of money would want to trade and take my client's life", said Lennon's attorney. "He's not a whole person".
Lennon couldn't get the implant removed because of health problems, including open-heart surgery he said.
UPDATE:
Lennon may not get the money after a judge dismissed his claim earlier today. The implant has caused Lennon to have an erection for 10 years.
The medical device maker's insurance company argued that since the device's now-defunct manufacturer, Dacomed Corp., can't be held liable for the device, it can't be either.
In a recent interview, Lennon said he can't position his penis downward because the device is faulty, causing him pain and embarrassment. "I'm suffering with it right now", he said. "It never stops. It's like a constant headache."
