Combating a Crisis

SITUATION

A patient of a prominent New York plastic surgeon filed a medical malpractice suit against him. The patient said that he botched her surgeries, which included a nose job, face lift, and nipple reduction. The leading New York tabloid called the plastic surgeon at 4 pm, asking for comments before they ran a salacious story that night from the plaintiff's point of view discrediting the surgeon.

While the client's claims were groundless, the surgeon was understandably concerned that the allegations would adversely affect his reputation in the community.

OUR SOLUTION

• Within an hour Hellerman Baretz had evaluated the situation and created a comprehensive media strategy to control the situation and mitigate any sensational press.
• Messages were created that a) rebuked the false claims of the plaintiff and b) discredited the plaintiff and reinforced the positive reputation of the surgeon.
• A picture was located that further demonstrated the frivolity of the plaintiff's claims and showed the results from the surgery.

RESULTS

• The leading New York tabloid decided not to run the salacious version of the story and instead ran the facts of the case.
• The media shifted their focus from the victimization of the plaintiff to a far more balanced story, and an article was printed with the picture that we provided.
• The surgeon's reputation remained intact, and he is still known as a respectable and talented surgeon who attracts an esteemed clientele of celebrities and politicians.