In 2009, the story of the R.I. lawsuit began in his own home when he, engaging in sexual relations, injured his penis. That morning R.I. contacted the nearest emergency room, in Bogalusa, and was advised to go to the St. Tammany Parish Hospital (STPH) immediately. Upon arrival at the hospital, his penile fracture was soon correctly diagnosed by Dr. Susan Craig of STPH.
Penis fractures are the result of a trauma that ruptures or tears the lining of one of the two fabric cylinders within the penis. These cylinders are known as corpus cavernosum and fill with blood during an erection thereby causing the hardening effect. When these are damaged, the person will experience severe pain, bruising, blood in urine, and a partial or complete inability to become erect. Without treatment a penis may become deformed and lead to permanent erectile dysfunction.