Seattle Plastic Surgery Provider Found Guilty of Preventing Negative Online Reviews

Seattle Plastic Surgery Provider Found Guilty of Preventing Negative Online Reviews

A federal judge ruled on Friday that a Seattle plastic surgery provider, Allure Esthetic, and its owner, Dr. Javad Sajan, illegally prevented thousands of patients from posting negative online reviews. The judge’s ruling comes after Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson sued the provider for violating consumer rights to post truthful reviews about a business.

The lawsuit accused Allure Esthetic of various unethical practices, including altering photos, bribing patients to remove negative reviews, and forcing employees to post fake positive reviews. The provider even went as far as suing anonymous reviewers for defamation to control its online reputation on platforms like Google and Yelp.

Patients were required to sign nondisclosure agreements before receiving treatment, preventing them from posting negative reviews. The provider also required patients to contact the clinic directly to resolve any issues before leaving a negative review, and some patients had to waive their privacy rights for the provider to respond with personal health information.

In addition, Allure Esthetic was accused of buying fake followers and likes, creating fake profiles for positive reviews, and using fake emails to claim rebates meant for patients. The Attorney General’s Office had been investigating Allure for about a year before filing the lawsuit, interviewing former employees and patients.

The penalty against Allure Esthetic and Dr. Javad Sajan will be decided at a trial scheduled for September. The provider has offices in Seattle, Lynnwood, and Kirkland, but did not respond to requests for comment on the ruling.

This case highlights the importance of transparency and honesty in the healthcare industry, as consumers rely on online reviews to make informed decisions about their care.