Hudson Spinal Surgeon Faces Scrutiny Again with Latest Malpractice Suit

**Justin** · 11-11-2010, 06:23 PM

An SPS Member asked if I could post the information below for SPS Members to read.
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Hudson spinal surgeon faces scrutiny again with latest malpractice suit
Lisa Buie, Times Staff Writer In Print: Sunday, June 14, 2009

Hudson spinal surgeon faces scrutiny again with latest malpractice suit - St. Petersburg Times <-- click here for the entire article.

HUDSON — A spinal surgeon who draws patients from around the world and who has been sued numerous times for malpractice is being sued again, this time by a Michigan woman who says he performed 13 surgeries on her in seven months and kept her at a private condominium for six weeks after a botched operation.

In addition to the malpractice claims, the lawsuit also makes allegations about Bonati's background. Among them:

That he fraudulently entered the United States from Chile, failed the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery exam twice, then created his own board and certified himself;
That to be accepted in Cook County Hospital's training program, he falsely represented in writing that he attended Catholic University in Rome, later admitting that the university was bogus; and that he later claimed to have attended the University of Naples in Italy, which in litigation he admitted was bogus and that he doesn't even know if it exists;
That he falsified recommendation letters to get into medical school at Wake Forest University. The lawsuit says two doctors whom Bonati claimed to have drafted and signed the letters denied doing so in court depositions.
That he was placed on academic probation at Wake Forest, and while there submitted false information to obtain medical licenses in North Carolina and Florida, which "he still holds by renewal."
Attorney Roberts and Bonati have a long history of court battles.

In the meantime, the Florida Board of Medicine investigated numerous complaints against Bonati. He reached a deal with the board in 2002 that let him continue to practice under the supervision of another surgeon.
That ended in 2005, and the Florida Department of Health said the doctor has fulfilled all his obligations to the state.

Despite the lawsuits against the Hudson surgeon, the Bonati Institute for Advanced Arthroscopic Surgery's Web site is filled with testimonials praising his medical care.

Attorney Ramsey said she doesn't doubt them.
"I'm sure there are patients who walk away and are fine."

**Nairek** · 11-13-2010, 10:11 PM

Holy cow! That is messed up!! A friend of mine was considering visiting this "Institute" for his back problems. I will be forwarding this article to him in the hopes that it's not too late!

**KBear** · 11-13-2010, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Nairek

Holy cow! That is messed up!! A friend of mine was considering visiting this "Institute" for his back problems. I will be forwarding this article to him in the hopes that it's not too late!

How are you Karen? Haven't 'seen' you in awhile.

**Gilbert P** · 11-20-2010, 12:25 PM

WOW

While in Florida on vacation Many locals were telling me not to go there "Bonati is always in the paper with some lawsuit.
That is when I canceled my Visit.
I am sure some people have great results Like Mr Wilson

Gil

**Nairek** · 11-22-2010, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

How are you Karen? Haven't 'seen' you in awhile.

Hi Kathy,

Yeah, I haven't been around much. I've been busy with work and school. Anyone who tells you that taking online classes is easy, is not being honest...lol!

I try to pop on here every once in a while just to see what's going on.

**rob wilson** · 11-23-2010, 05:20 PM

I guess I was lucky. Bonati cured me when no one else would touch me. Laser Spine was the one that could not get the job done for me. And of course you about what Stenum did to me.

**trkdoc714** · 06-03-2011, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Justin

An SPS Member asked if I could post the information below for SPS Members to read.
_________________________________________________

Hudson spinal surgeon faces scrutiny again with latest malpractice suit
Lisa Buie, Times Staff Writer In Print: Sunday, June 14, 2009

Hudson spinal surgeon faces scrutiny again with latest malpractice suit - St. Petersburg Times <-- click here for the entire article.

HUDSON — A spinal surgeon who draws patients from around the world and who has been sued numerous times for malpractice is being sued again, this time by a Michigan woman who says he performed 13 surgeries on her in seven months and kept her at a private condominium for six weeks after a botched operation.

In addition to the malpractice claims, the lawsuit also makes allegations about Bonati's background. Among them:

That he fraudulently entered the United States from Chile, failed the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery exam twice, then created his own board and certified himself;
That to be accepted in Cook County Hospital's training program, he falsely represented in writing that he attended Catholic University in Rome, later admitting that the university was bogus; and that he later claimed to have attended the University of Naples in Italy, which in litigation he admitted was bogus and that he doesn't even know if it exists;
That he falsified recommendation letters to get into medical school at Wake Forest University. The lawsuit says two doctors whom Bonati claimed to have drafted and signed the letters denied doing so in court depositions.
That he was placed on academic probation at Wake Forest, and while there submitted false information to obtain medical licenses in North Carolina and Florida, which "he still holds by renewal."
Attorney Roberts and Bonati have a long history of court battles.

In the meantime, the Florida Board of Medicine investigated numerous complaints against Bonati. He reached a deal with the board in 2002 that let him continue to practice under the supervision of another surgeon.
That ended in 2005, and the Florida Department of Health said the doctor has fulfilled all his obligations to the state.

Despite the lawsuits against the Hudson surgeon, the Bonati Institute for Advanced Arthroscopic Surgery's Web site is filled with testimonials praising his medical care.

Attorney Ramsey said she doesn't doubt them.
"I'm sure there are patients who walk away and are fine."

I had forgotten about this post but it deserves a second look. The "quick, simple" fix clinics fly under the radar too often until they seriously injure someone.

**RetroVirus** · 06-03-2011, 08:56 PM

I heard all of this stuff before I went to him too. I just was really disappointed with Laser Spine and didn't want a fusion. Bonati did an awesome job and I totally respect him. I posted a review of my surgery in "surgery outcomes" if anyone is interested. Nobody has responded yet haha, did I waste my time?