A shocking case of alleged medical negligence has surfaced, involving severe accusations against a group of healthcare providers in Palm Beach County, Florida. The lawsuit, filed by Barbara Morello and her husband Jose Santiago on July 29, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, targets Dr. Carla DiPiero, Dr. Eliane Bitar, Wellness First LLC, and WomenFirst LLC doing business as Wellness First.
According to the complaint, Barbara Morello sought treatment at Wellness First on December 21, 2022, for shoulder pain. Dr. Carla DiPiero recommended and administered Ozone therapy and Prolozone therapy despite these treatments not being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any medical condition in the United States. The plaintiffs allege that Dr. DiPiero failed to perform necessary diagnostic evaluations or recommend less invasive treatments before proceeding with these therapies.
The lawsuit details a series of alarming procedural errors during the administration of these treatments. For instance, it is claimed that sterile techniques were not adhered to—an uncapped syringe was dropped on the floor and then used after merely being wiped with an alcohol swab. Additionally, expired medications from multi-dose vials were allegedly used without proper aseptic techniques.
Following the procedure, Mrs. Morello experienced extreme pain and limited mobility in her left shoulder. Despite multiple visits to Wellness First over the next few days and consultations with both Dr. DiPiero and Dr. Bitar, her condition worsened significantly due to what she claims was inadequate follow-up care and failure to promptly diagnose a septic joint infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
The plaintiffs argue that timely diagnosis through arthrocentesis could have identified the infection earlier and prevented further complications. Instead, Mrs. Morello required two surgeries performed by orthopedic surgeon Ryan Simovitch on December 27, 2022, and February 2, 2023. These surgeries involved extensive debridement due to severe infections in her shoulder joint.
As a result of these alleged negligent actions by Drs. DiPiero and Bitar as well as Wellness First LLC and WomenFirst LLC d/b/a Wellness First's oversight failures, Mrs. Morello has suffered permanent physical damage including reduced mobility in her left shoulder and ongoing pain affecting her daily life activities.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for medical expenses incurred due to hospitalization and treatment needs stemming from this incident along with compensation for mental anguish endured by Mrs. Morello as well as loss of consortium claimed by Mr. Santiago.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Karen E Terry from Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA.
The Case ID is: 502024CA007119XXXAMB Div: AH.