As Angry Patients Vent Online, Doctors Sue to Silence Them

By DAVID KESMODEL

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE - September 14, 2005

Doctors have long accepted that their patients share opinions about the care they have received, knowing that satisfied patients will refer others while those not so happy with their bedside manner might encourage prospective customers to seek treatment elsewhere. But when William Boothe, an ophthalmologist in Texas, saw that one disgruntled former patient was posting his complaints on the Internet, he launched an aggressive response. He sued for libel and other claims, and earlier this year a state judge ordered the material removed from the Web.  (See documents below)