Florida back surgeon filing $500 million lawsuit alleging 'wrongful shutdown'

A Florida back surgeon has filed a $500 million lawsuit against the State of Florida, alleging his clinic was wrongfully shut down. In the lawsuit, Dr. Alfred Bonati, owner of the Bonati Spine Institute, claimed the state's shutdown was based on allegedly false accusations. The nine-page document cites "civil rights violations, conspiracy by state officials, defamation and libel." In March 2023, the state filed an emergency suspension order against the surgery center, saying it put patients’ health, safety, and welfare at risk.