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Prescription for unhappy patients: patience
By COLLINS CONNER © St. Petersburg Times, published November 21, 2000 TAMPA -- Unhappy patients with claims against Dr. Alfred Bonati's Gulf Coast Orthopedic Center came away from court Monday empty-handed. An anticipated settlement of Gulf Coast's bankruptcy didn't take place. Hammering out an agreement is difficult. Dozens of patients have filed malpractice claims against Gulf Coast, totaling $130-million. John Olson, attorney for U.S. trustee Susan Woodard, jokingly called the parties to the settlement talks "a cast of thousands." But Olson also said the negotiations have "made very substantial progress." At a hearing in Tampa, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Alexander L. Paskay gave attorneys two more weeks to talk. He scheduled a status conference for Dec. 5. Paskay also gave Olson more time to pursue his contention that some of Bonati's attorneys and accountants should repay fees they collected from Gulf Coast. Olson also has until Dec. 19 to determine whether $300,000 paid to an Arkansas couple was appropriate, since the court hadn't authorized the payments. Annette and Sam Bailey of Mountain Home, Ark., are Bonati's friends; they help market his practice. If money paid to the couple by Gulf Coast was for professional marketing, it might have to be returned. Gulf Coast's bankruptcy case has stretched for four years. In that time, thousands of patients have been treated at the Hudson surgery center. Bonati considers himself a pioneer in using arthroscopy and lasers to treat back problems. His treatment has earned him loyal followers. But it also has been questioned by the Florida Board of Medicine and by some patients claiming that he weakened their spines with repeated, unneeded surgeries. On Monday, former U.S. Attorney Bob Merkle, who is defending Bonati and Gulf Coast in a malpractice lawsuit, called the criticism of Bonati character assassination.
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From the Times |
