Dr. Arian Mowlavi, a plastic surgeon who calls himself “Dr. Laguna” on social media, reached a $6 million settlement with three dozen former patients, according to court records.
In a series of malpractice lawsuits filed against the Laguna Beach doctor, patients alleged that he unnecessarily forced them to be naked for an exam, made inappropriate comments about their bodies, touched them without consent, attempted to sell other procedures moments before undergo the test. knife and, in some cases, botched surgeries. The patients said in court documents that they were left with unsightly and unexpected scars and infections after the surgery.
Under the settlement agreement, first reported by NBC, the doctor's insurance company will provide the $6 million. Some details of the deal were included in a document filed in Mowlavi's bankruptcy case.
A lawyer representing Mowlavi did not return a phone call Friday seeking comment. Mowlavi, who has not admitted any wrongdoing, could not be reached for comment.
In late January, the state medical board filed an indictment against Mowlavi, including allegations that he committed gross negligence, created a false medical record, made false statements about his treatment of a patient, failed to maintain accurate medical records and failed to report when addressing an adverse event involving a patient.
This is the second action the junta has taken against Mowlavi, records show. In August 2021, the board filed an indictment alleging that he committed gross negligence, aided the practice of medicine without a license, and exaggerated the number of procedures he had performed, among other violations. In September 2022, the board suspended Mowlavi's license for 90 days and placed him on probation for 10 years, documents show.
The board's January filing focuses on Mowlavi's interactions with two patients in 2020. The first, identified in the document as Patient A, underwent surgery in November of that year for high-definition liposuction of the abdomen, the flanks, the middle and upper back, the armpit and left medial thigh. There were no immediate complications, but about a week later, he returned to the office and complained of “bad odor and dark discoloration of abdominal skin” along with pain, the board's indictment states.
The prosecution claims Mowlavi examined the patient's abdomen via FaceTime. However, a postoperative note in the patient's file made it appear that Mowlavi had examined her in person, according to the document.
During an interview with the board last May, Mowlavi was asked about the encounter. He “stated that he clearly remembered the visit and that Patient A was doing well and progressing faster than most patients.” He described the patient as “happy” and “excited to leave,” and said she “high-fived” him twice, according to the document.
But two days after Mowlavi examined her over FaceTime, the woman was taken to the emergency room after paramedics found her with a decreased level of consciousness, slurred speech and weakness on her right side. Doctors determined she was in septic shock. She underwent several surgeries to remove damaged tissue from her abdomen, according to the document.
The second patient, identified as Patient B, lived out of state and sought out Mowlavi to alter her breasts, abdomen, back, thighs and arms. In September 2020, according to the board document, the doctor conducted a virtual consultation. But in records provided to the medical board he reported that a physical examination had been performed, according to the indictment.
Times staff writer Salvador Hernández contributed to this report.
