Man gets Viagra for life after an accident?

While walking home one night in his community back in 2003, Kenroy Biggs, then 19 years of age, was struck by a truck then pinned to a wall by the truck. This started several years of surgery and medical procedures, which included trips to the United States for urethra surgeries. Along with constant back and other pains, Biggs also lost part of his left leg which the doctors had to amputate.

One of the results of the accident has been erectile dysfunction and depression. A medical report on Biggs said the result of the trauma is a constant worry of not being able to engage in sexual relations as well as the possibility of never being able to father a child.

The truck was owned by furniture retailer Courts Jamaica Limited. Justice Sykes looked at all the issues before awarding damages which includes a lifetime supply of Viagra, an erectile dysfunction drug. Sykes said, “Mr. Biggs has permanent urological damage. There is the permanent problem of structure of his urethra, which can only be relieved by the painful insertion of catheters. Mr. Biggs has permanent erectile dysfunction. He has lost a leg.”

The furniture retailer has been told to shell out$ 45.85 million in damages, the Viagra expenses total $1.53 million of the almost $46 million, which has been affirmed by Justice Sykes.

Biggs later went on to file another suit against Courts Jamaica.
They did agree to some of the damages but have filed a counter suit for $18 million. Courts feel the award is far too large according to other similar awards made in comparable cases by the Justices. In papers filed by Courts Jamaica, they say that Justice Sykes erred in his ruling. Sykes had said in his ruling that the $18 million was appropriate compensation for loss of amenities, pain, and suffering.

To read the whole court rulling click here.

Medical reports claim that after the truck had crashed into Biggs, it had left him with 55% impairment of a whole person, and that he is operating at only 65% of his psychological capacity. Justice Sykes stands by his ruling. But it will now be left with the appeals justices for a ruling. Courts Jamaica has agreed to most of the damages, but not all.