$9M Verdict for ED Treatment Gone Bad

A Georgia man who claimed the treatment he receive for erectile dysfunction left him permanently scarred has been awarded more than $9 million in damages.

John Henry Howard received the treatment from the Boston Men’s Health Center, operating clinics as the Boston Medical Group, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Howard injected himself with a “secret formula” dispensed by the company that includes the drug papaverine to improve blood flow.

Howard’s lawyer, W. Fred Orr II, told the Fulton County Daily Report that papaverine was discarded as the primary treatment for erectile dysfunction after Viagra was introduced in 1998. Howard received the papaverine formula beginning in September 2006.

"He was willing to take the stand and testify in an open courtroom about his private life," Orr said of his client. "God knows how many other John Henrys are out there."

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports that Boston Medical has been sued at least two other times. Both suits resulted in settlements.

The company contends it did nothing wrong, and Howard waited too long to seek medical help.