BMW Motorcycle Caused 20-Month Erection, Man's Lawsuit Claims
A California motorcyclist's lawsuit claims a bike ride in 2010 took an unexpected turn that caused a prolonged erection for two years -- and counting.
Henry Wolf blames the after-market "ridge-like seat" on his 1993 BMW motorcycle for causing his "severe case of priapism (a persistent lasting erection)," according to the lawsuit filed in state court in San Francisco and obtained by Courthouse News Service.
A four-hour ride on the motorcycle seat, designed and manufactured by Corbin-Pacific Inc., caused Wolf's condition, his lawsuit asserts. But medical experts aren't so certain.
One urologist told Detroit's WWJ radio there's no data to support Henry Wolf's motorcycle-seat erection claim. A ridge-like seat could, however, compress the neurovascular supply to a person's genitals and cause "prolonged numbness," the doctor said.
By contrast, Henry Wolf's lawsuit claims he "has been experiencing continuing problems" since his 2010 bike ride.
Wolf, whose age and residence are not listed in the lawsuit, "is now unable to engage in sexual activity, which is causing him substantial emotional and mental anguish," his suit says.
Wolf's suit blames Corbin-Pacific for the alleged negligent design of its bike seat, BMW of North America for selling the seat, and both companies for negligently assembling the seat.
The lawsuit also blames BMW and Corbin-Pacific for negligently causing Wolf emotional distress. To win on this claim, courts often require a victim to prove physical injuries, but not in all cases.
That's why, if Henry Wolf's motorcycle-seat erection lawsuit heads to court, medical experts will likely be needed to testify about his unique condition. It's likely BMW and Corbin-Pacific are already revving up for a vigorous defense.
Related Resources:
- Man sues BMW after motorcycle seat allegedly causes 2-year erection (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Proving Fault in a Product Liability Case (FindLaw)
- Product Liability: Manufacturing Defects vs. Design Defects (FindLaw)
- Cop and Feel: Don't Cut Drugs off Suspect's Penis with Knife (FindLaw's U.S. Fourth Circuit blog)