Negative Review On Yelp Leads To Defamation Lawsuit

from the this-again? dept

There have been plenty of stories about companies suing people for posting negative reviews about their business practices, and it still seems like a really dumb thing to do -- as in the end all it does is call a lot more attention to the negative review. That's what appears to be happening with a lawsuit over a negative review of a chiropractor on Yelp. The review claimed that the chiropractor was using questionable business and billing practices. The chiropractor threatened the reviewer -- and even though the review was deleted, sued the guy for defamation. Of course, now the details of the supposed unethical billing practices (involved trying to bill insurance companies significantly more, and when that didn't work coming back to the guy and asking him to pay up instead) are getting a lot more attention.
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Filed Under: defamation, opinions, reviews
Companies: yelp


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  • identicon
    DD Palmer, 7 Jan 2009 @ 5:40pm

    Umm yeah..

    I'm a chiropractor...
    and I do not think the review was defamatory (is that a word?)
    I would guess it's a pretty accurate description of what happened. Don't be fooled! This practice goes on in the medical community as well. This DC just got caught doing what(unfortunately) happens all the time.
    I have done the right thing by helping patients first and gotten screwed later plenty of times by the insurance company and by patients with not paying. That is why I no longer accept insurance.
    I can see why there is a desire to stick it to the insurance companies but you have to consider what is the ethical path. I think the DC probably deserves to be slapped for what he did and the bad press will more than take care of that.
    Also - the guy did say he found an ethical chiropractor that treated him.
    Also II - $125 for 2 visits seems reasonable and customary. $550 seemed high.. but it cost me $380 for 1 visit at a Doc in a box to tell me I didn't have strep throat - that was a rip off!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Egat, 7 Jan 2009 @ 6:19pm

      Re: Umm yeah..

      Going to a Chiropractor in general is a ripoff.

      They treat symptoms, and go out of their way not to address causes. Yeah, when you walk out of the office you might feel better, but if you don't change the practices that put you there in the first place, you're just going to end up in pain again and back in the office.

      Go see a Physical or Occupational Therapist. They might not make you feel better immediately, and they might ask you to make some changes, but ultimately you're solving the problem.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        DD Palmer, 7 Jan 2009 @ 7:40pm

        Re: Re: Umm yeah..

        There are some DCs better than others. To say they(we) only treat symptoms is false. The DCs goal is(should be) to get at the root of the problem and treat it(if appropriate) by getting the tissues(bone, muscle, connective) moving properly, strengthening the weak areas with exercise, and educating the patient about the condition(self help). Ask a neurosurgeon if they treat symptoms and see what the response is - seriously do it.

        In the future the line will be blurred between what chiros, physios, and athletic trainers will be blurred as all incorporate each others research for the good of the patient.

        As with anything in life, make sure you are getting results. Depending on the condition, you should see some progress. I expect at least 20% improvement after the first 2 visits.

        Am I off topic yet??????

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Matt, 7 Jan 2009 @ 6:16pm

    SLAPP?

    I'm wondering when the chiropractor is going to learn about the streisand effect or the other million reviews that will now be negative and of the guy? Does he plan on suing the hundreds of them?

    Also, this is old (2 months minimum). http://consumerist.com/5098559/chiropractor-sues-patient-over-negative-yelp-review

    Suspiciously or not, all the other reviews are extremely satisfied, which calls to wonder if someone just got pissed or not. Either way, a lawsuit is not the way to resolve stuff like that.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    nipsey russell, 7 Jan 2009 @ 7:37pm

    news flash!

    chiropractors are unethical? they sell MAGIC as medicine and someone is upset that they behaved unethically????
    sad that people throw their money away on SCAMS like this and homeopathy, truly just sad.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Julius Russell, 7 Jan 2009 @ 7:43pm

      Re: news flash!

      Hey, that's defamatory. I'll sue your ass!

      ... There, back on topic!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        eleete, 8 Jan 2009 @ 5:42am

        Re: Re: news flash!

        Inflammatory ?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          DD Plamer, 8 Jan 2009 @ 7:44am

          Re: Re: Re: news flash!

          "Inflammatory"...hahahaha you're right.
          I always associate inflammation with rubor, dolar, palor and kolar. I am not a wordsmith and should stick with chiropractoring.

          Irony is awesome!

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jesse, 8 Jan 2009 @ 1:21am

    At the end of the day, no matter the legal outcome, at least the court of public opinion will rule against the chiropracter. Who is going to want to give business to someone who might sue them?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jesse, 8 Jan 2009 @ 1:25am

    Selling magic?

    Chiropractors are now accepted by the scientific community (as if that validation was necessary). So your smug arrogance is sadly misplaced.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    diamond, 8 Jan 2009 @ 11:37am

    TORT LAW

    consumers take advantage with freedom of speech once they cannot pay there BILL for services rendered.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    nipseyrussell, 8 Jan 2009 @ 12:29pm

    chiropractors are now accepted by the WHAT community!???!?!?!
    i think i just threw up a little in my mouth.
    my smug arrogance is quite firmly in place, thank you.

    for anyone doubting the silliness and danger of chiropractic a good source are episodes 10, 11, + 27 of the quackcast podcast

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      HIO, 8 Jan 2009 @ 3:55pm

      Re:

      "WHAT community?"
      Ans:
      Medicare, private carrier insurance,
      Major sports franchises and professional athletes,
      dance companies,
      hospital ERs,
      and.....yo mama.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    nipseyrussell, 8 Jan 2009 @ 12:30pm

    "julius russell"???
    did i just threaten to sue myself??
    listen buddy, there is room for only one nipsey here.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    nipseyrussell, 9 Jan 2009 @ 2:39pm

    i felt i should clarify my comment above. when i said "i think i just threw up a little in my mouth", you can interpret that as "you are lying" - chiropracty is not accepted by "the scientific community". Oh, and, yes, when you are promoting (non-sham) health benefits of something, that "validation is necessary"

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • fraudulent allegations and defamation

    I definitely support freedom of speech in any form and shape but not false accusations and lies because of wanting free services. I definitely do not support haters but I support truth. Here is a website of Erwin Lara of Travis Air Force base - a malicious gossiper who is victimizing a great business because he was slapped with a restraining order for violence, threat and harassment. Check out this website for truth with proof of legal documents. His time is coming. I encourage this business to sue this guy and the institution that he represents for defamation and tolerating this kind of behavior.www.meetTHEhoodwinker.COM

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Victim Of VDC, 31 May 2009 @ 7:49pm

      Re: fraudulent allegations and defamation

      People of Travis AFB/Solano County or ANYONE that is considering VDC for dental needs, heed this warning: AVOID Vacaville Dental Care! “Care” is an understatement! It should not be used in their business name, as they have no idea what it means. We are ex-patients of theirs that are pure victims of dental malpractice, dishonest care and VERY unethical service! Patient care is non existent & they have no compassion whatsoever! This is the most crooked dental business you'll ever deal with. Never have we received such horrible and unethical service! Do not believe any comments you hear or read about this place, as they are nothing but lies and impersonations of happy customers by Jennifer& radildo Tuazon, Vacaville Dental Care owners. If we didn't get screwed SO bad by this business, do you think we would speak bad about our horrific experience with them? No I think not. All we are doing is sharing our awful experience with The Tuazon’s and his dental business. For the REAL truth with evidence of their ludicrous lies, just email:erlara@gmail.com



      You would be a "HATER" too if you received bad service! You would warn others to stay away from this horrible place too if you got scammed by their "shady" service. We are NOT spreading "malicious gossips or threatening anyone here". We have just been warning the public of the unethical & VERY incompetent service VDC provided us! Take it from us...a patient that experienced the worst pain from bad dental work..learn from patients that paid over $4K in dental work that was not only useless, but made things worse!! Learn from a patient that was denied patient care after "dr" Tuazon performed dental work, & could only say"go seek another dentists opinion". This is ONLY a small amount of VDC's unprofessional service. They claim that I am a "wolf in sheeps clothing". LOL Whatever that means...they are the ones that need to look in the mirror. They had the audacity to cry wolf to the Solano Court system and get a restraining order...ALL because we wanted to take our business elsewhere and wanted a copy of our own dental records. All we did was get the complete runaround and BS excuses that it was not ready. Of course not, it's because "dr" Tuazon needed time to alter/delete papers in our records!! To THIS DAY, he still has not given our new dentist a copy of the records, after dozens of requests. We challenge ANYONE to contact this office and ask why they refused to hold onto our records. Anyone with common sense can tell that these people have something to hide and are the TRUE pathological liars. When a business has negative reports in the Better Business Bureau and was taken to court TWICE in one year, that is more than enough info that their business needs to be avoided. Don't be scammed and victimized like us..AVOID the Tuazons and their horrific "dental services"...Vacaville Dental sCare!!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Victim Of VDC, 31 May 2009 @ 7:49pm

      Re: fraudulent allegations and defamation

      People of Travis AFB/Solano County or ANYONE that is considering VDC for dental needs, heed this warning: AVOID Vacaville Dental Care! “Care” is an understatement! It should not be used in their business name, as they have no idea what it means. We are ex-patients of theirs that are pure victims of dental malpractice, dishonest care and VERY unethical service! Patient care is non existent & they have no compassion whatsoever! This is the most crooked dental business you'll ever deal with. Never have we received such horrible and unethical service! Do not believe any comments you hear or read about this place, as they are nothing but lies and impersonations of happy customers by Jennifer& radildo Tuazon, Vacaville Dental Care owners. If we didn't get screwed SO bad by this business, do you think we would speak bad about our horrific experience with them? No I think not. All we are doing is sharing our awful experience with The Tuazon’s and his dental business. For the REAL truth with evidence of their ludicrous lies, just email:erlara @gmail.xom



      You would be a "HATER" too if you received bad service! You would warn others to stay away from this horrible place too if you got scammed by their "shady" service. We are NOT spreading "malicious gossips or threatening anyone here". We have just been warning the public of the unethical & VERY incompetent service VDC provided us! Take it from us...a patient that experienced the worst pain from bad dental work..learn from patients that paid over $4K in dental work that was not only useless, but made things worse!! Learn from a patient that was denied patient care after "dr" Tuazon performed dental work, & could only say"go seek another dentists opinion". This is ONLY a small amount of VDC's unprofessional service. They claim that I am a "wolf in sheeps clothing". LOL Whatever that means...they are the ones that need to look in the mirror. They had the audacity to cry wolf to the Solano Court system and get a restraining order...ALL because we wanted to take our business elsewhere and wanted a copy of our own dental records. All we did was get the complete runaround and BS excuses that it was not ready. Of course not, it's because "dr" Tuazon needed time to alter/delete papers in our records!! To THIS DAY, he still has not given our new dentist a copy of the records, after dozens of requests. We challenge ANYONE to contact this office and ask why they refused to hold onto our records. Anyone with common sense can tell that these people have something to hide and are the TRUE pathological liars. When a business has negative reports in the Better Business Bureau and was taken to court TWICE in one year, that is more than enough info that their business needs to be avoided. Don't be scammed and victimized like us..AVOID the Tuazons and their horrific "dental services"...Vacaville Dental sCare!!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Victim Of VDC, 31 May 2009 @ 7:52pm

      Re: fraudulent allegations and defamation

      People of Travis AFB/Solano County or ANYONE that is considering VDC for dental needs, heed this warning: AVOID Vacaville Dental Care! “Care” is an understatement! It should not be used in their business name, as they have no idea what it means. We are ex-patients of theirs that are pure victims of dental malpractice, dishonest care and VERY unethical service! Patient care is non existent & they have no compassion whatsoever! This is the most crooked dental business you'll ever deal with. Never have we received such horrible and unethical service! Do not believe any comments you hear or read about this place, as they are nothing but lies and impersonations of happy customers by Jennifer& radildo Tuazon, Vacaville Dental Care owners. If we didn't get screwed SO bad by this business, do you think we would speak bad about our horrific experience with them? No I think not. All we are doing is sharing our awful experience with The Tuazon’s and his dental business. For the REAL truth with evidence of their ludicrous lies, just email us!


      You would be a "HATER" too if you received bad service! You would warn others to stay away from this horrible place too if you got scammed by their "shady" service. We are NOT spreading "malicious gossips or threatening anyone here". We have just been warning the public of the unethical & VERY incompetent service VDC provided us! Take it from us...a patient that experienced the worst pain from bad dental work..learn from patients that paid over $4K in dental work that was not only useless, but made things worse!! Learn from a patient that was denied patient care after "dr" Tuazon performed dental work, & could only say"go seek another dentists opinion". This is ONLY a small amount of VDC's unprofessional service. They claim that I am a "wolf in sheeps clothing". LOL Whatever that means...they are the ones that need to look in the mirror. They had the audacity to cry wolf to the Solano Court system and get a restraining order...ALL because we wanted to take our business elsewhere and wanted a copy of our own dental records. All we did was get the complete runaround and BS excuses that it was not ready. Of course not, it's because "dr" Tuazon needed time to alter/delete papers in our records!! To THIS DAY, he still has not given our new dentist a copy of the records, after dozens of requests. We challenge ANYONE to contact this office and ask why they refused to hold onto our records. Anyone with common sense can tell that these people have something to hide and are the TRUE pathological liars. When a business has negative reports in the Better Business Bureau and was taken to court TWICE in one year, that is more than enough info that their business needs to be avoided. Don't be scammed and victimized like us..AVOID the Tuazons and their horrific "dental services"...Vacaville Dental sCare!!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Victim Of VDC, 31 May 2009 @ 7:52pm

      Re: fraudulent allegations and defamation

      People of Travis AFB/Solano County or ANYONE that is considering VDC for dental needs, heed this warning: AVOID Vacaville Dental Care! “Care” is an understatement! It should not be used in their business name, as they have no idea what it means. We are ex-patients of theirs that are pure victims of dental malpractice, dishonest care and VERY unethical service! Patient care is non existent & they have no compassion whatsoever! This is the most crooked dental business you'll ever deal with. Never have we received such horrible and unethical service! Do not believe any comments you hear or read about this place, as they are nothing but lies and impersonations of happy customers by Jennifer& radildo Tuazon, Vacaville Dental Care owners. If we didn't get screwed SO bad by this business, do you think we would speak bad about our horrific experience with them? No I think not. All we are doing is sharing our awful experience with The Tuazon’s and his dental business. For the REAL truth with evidence of their ludicrous lies, just email us at erlara@gmail.com

      You would be a "HATER" too if you received bad service! You would warn others to stay away from this horrible place too if you got scammed by their "shady" service. We are NOT spreading "malicious gossips or threatening anyone here". We have just been warning the public of the unethical & VERY incompetent service VDC provided us! Take it from us...a patient that experienced the worst pain from bad dental work..learn from patients that paid over $4K in dental work that was not only useless, but made things worse!! Learn from a patient that was denied patient care after "dr" Tuazon performed dental work, & could only say"go seek another dentists opinion". This is ONLY a small amount of VDC's unprofessional service. They claim that I am a "wolf in sheeps clothing". LOL Whatever that means...they are the ones that need to look in the mirror. They had the audacity to cry wolf to the Solano Court system and get a restraining order...ALL because we wanted to take our business elsewhere and wanted a copy of our own dental records. All we did was get the complete runaround and BS excuses that it was not ready. Of course not, it's because "dr" Tuazon needed time to alter/delete papers in our records!! To THIS DAY, he still has not given our new dentist a copy of the records, after dozens of requests. We challenge ANYONE to contact this office and ask why they refused to hold onto our records. Anyone with common sense can tell that these people have something to hide and are the TRUE pathological liars. When a business has negative reports in the Better Business Bureau and was taken to court TWICE in one year, that is more than enough info that their business needs to be avoided. Don't be scammed and victimized like us..AVOID the Tuazons and their horrific "dental services"...Vacaville Dental sCare!!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Rich, 10 Aug 2009 @ 12:00pm

    What a shame. Will someone please stop the lairs? I seem great places go out due to the stress of customer blogging lies.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Yelp Is Dishonest, 12 Nov 2010 @ 9:39am

    Our business has had 5 reviews so far. One is a negative review from a man who is lying about being a client; the other four are very positive. Yelp keeps only the dishonest negative review on our Yelp page, and filters out all positive reviews. Then, after complaining about this, they start hitting me up to set up a "business" account. I will never trust Yelp, again.

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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