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
Phillip Seaton Loses Lawsuit Against Dr. John Patterson Over Amputated 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.   (AP Photo/Brian Bohannon)

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.” (More penis stories.)

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