A judge in Texas has given some good news to the My 600 Lb Life cast members and family members who have sued Megalomedia— the show’s production company— over the past year.
Starcasm broke the news on Thursday that Harris County District Judge Latosha Lewis Payne recently ruled that not only can the lawsuits proceed but also agreed with a request from attorney Tony Buzbee to consolidate most of the suits. The attorney argued that since the cases were so similar, resources would be wasted in trying each individually and that there was “a real risk of inconsistent rulings.”
“It’s important to note that the consolidation does not mean the 10 lawsuits are now a class action lawsuit against Megalomedia,” Starcasm reports. “Perhaps the most immediate impact of the ruling is that, potentially, evidence and/or information uncovered in a deposition that pertains to one specific cast member might be treated as relevant for the claims of the other nine.”
Following another ruling by Judge Payne, that evidence will now include depositions by Jonathan Nowzaradan, who is the founder of Megalomedia and creator behind “My 600 lb. Life.”) He is also the son of show’s star Dr. Younan Nowzaradan.
Toni Westberry, the CFO of Megalomedia, will also be deposed.
Megalomedia attorneys argued that talent and filming agreements that Toni submitted for several cast members were sufficient evidence, but the judge disagreed.
“However, in a mid-May response, Judge Payne again sided with the ‘My 600 Lb Life’ cast, arguing that [Jonathan] Nowzaradan and [Toni] Westberry’s positions made their depositions (referred to in the documents as ‘Limited Discovery’) quite valuable,” Starcasm reports.
Per the judge’s ruling, the depositions need to be completed by June 1. There’s no word yet on when a trial could begin.
So far, 10 lawsuits have been filed against Megalomedia by current and former “My 600 Lb Life” cast members, as well as one lawsuit filed by the family of deceased cast member L.B. Bonner. Most of the lawsuits include claims that producers did not cover medical expenses as promised, did not provide proper mental health care and inflicted mental distress on the cast members.
Alicia Kirgan, originally of Season 6, is the cast member who most recently filed a lawsuit against the production company. While many of her claims were similar to those made in some of the other lawsuits, her lawsuit stands out in that she stated that producers were involved with falsifying her mental health examination.
In addition to Alicia’s and L.B.’s family’s lawsuits, legal action has been taken against Megalomedia by David Bolton (Season 6), Gina Krasley (Season 8) and Maja Radanovic (Season 7), Destinee Lashaee (Season 7), Jeanne Covey (Season 7), Nicole Lewis (Season 5), Dottie Perkins (Season 4) and Annjeanette Whaley (Season 7).
(Photos: TLC)
54 Responses
I hope Megalomedia loses.
Its obvious that some of the cast werent mentally well. I believe the falsifying mental health claims. I believe the Putting them in situations to make a show claim. however, we know the show doesnt care all medical care. cause a part of the show has always been Getting up enough money to go to houston, tx. In later seasons they dont talk about that a lot so maybe they have started telling patients they will help them.
My biggest take away is the cast knows what type of show this is. the first seasons were blindsided but the later season knew what it was. they just wanted to get paid and get free skin surgery.
I think the cast deserves some extra money because its obvious the show is edited bad but these guys arent all victims. there families call the show because they are tired of taking care of them.
This is a good and interesting show. Why is it a few have to try and get something for nothing, at the same time trying to hurt a innocent doctors reputation. These people failed month after month to lose weight because they refused to follow the plan that was given to them. Now, following the same pattern I am quite sure they have done most of their lives, they refuse to take any responsibility and blame someone else. Its doubtful any of these people will ever change, what is sad and shocking is a judge is allowing them a forum to be heard, shameful.
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Of course there will be malpractice suits. These people are and were grossly obese not due to Dr. Nows doing. They contacted him for help. He obliged them and now that the results are not what they or their families expected they decide to sue. In my opinion, they are ungrateful and quite pathetic. Before considering surgery, prospective patients should undergo extensive psychological evaluations. These are just money grubbing lawsuits. As said, they owe a thank you not a lawsuit to Dr. Now. This judge needs to view episodes and see what this doctor has dealt with concerning these UNGRATEFUL people. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever. To reiterate, THEY and their families put themselves in this position. Find a sympathetic ear elsewhere. You will not find it here.
Dr. Nowzaradan seems a very patient, caring surgeon. I suppose the participating patients on this show are looking for a big payday. There are always unscrupulous ambulance chasers happy to oblige.
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I believe some of these folks want everything done for them. You can see right away the ones that are successful. They usually listen to Dr Now and do what they’re supposed.
Having watched this show, the names listed were people who refused to follow their diet and do what was asked of them. I hope Dr. NOW GETS JUSTICE.
I really hope that the judge doesn’t side with the cast. And I’m very confused about what exactly their arguments are. Dr. Now has them start therapy for their mental health issues, so why are they saying that they didn’t receive any? Also, why should the show cover their medical costs if they failed to lose weight and stick to the program? Having the medical costs covered should be contingent on their success. I don’t believe that they deserve to have these costs waived for them if they’re not going to do their part. If I was given a chance like that, you better believe that I’d be working my butt off, counting every single calorie and working out every single day. But they don’t do that. They just go home, stuff their faces and make excuses. To me, that only shows that they’re lazy and don’t deserve the free medical care. The free care should be given to the ones who actually work hard. That judge seriously needs to wake tf up.
I really hope that the judge doesn’t side with the cast. And I’m very confused about what exactly their arguments are. Dr. Now has them start therapy for their mental health issues, so why are they saying that they didn’t receive any? Also, why should the show cover their medical costs if they failed to lose weight and stick to the program? Having the medical costs covered should be contingent on their success. I don’t believe that they deserve to have these costs waived for them if they’re not going to do their part. If I was given a chance like that, you better believe that I’d be working my butt off, counting every single calorie and working out every single day. But they don’t do that. They just go home, stuff their faces and make excuses. To me, that only shows that they’re lazy and don’t deserve the free medical care. The free care should be given to the ones who actually work hard. That judge seriously needs to wake tf up.
Dr.Nowzaradin would never say,”…the scale don’t lie.”
He’s an educated man and would say the scale doesn’t lie, which is proper English.
Give me a break.dr now tells them they need to ahow him there committed by losing weight than they dont so after a year they still dont so he sends them to psychotherapy most of the time they say no we dont need it these are the ones who sue.im behind you dr now.
Well that’s pretty sad. They eat themselves into huge bodies and then seek out Dr. Now. Then they fail because he won’t do “weight loss surgery ” right away. In the case of the suicide? His family sure wasn’t helping him make good choices but they’re there with their hands out. It’s another example of how manipulative some of these people can be. I hope the defense produces the success stories in Dr. Now’s case.
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TLC should be in court too to answer charges that they’ve committed horrible crimes by airing these human dirigibles stories and inducing nausea in viewers who have tuned in .
Seriously these gargantuan subject matters are lucky to be alive considering the state they’ve let themselves turn into . I hope Dr.Now and his son are exonerated and that these tubs of goo are left to drown in their own excrement and receive a lifelong ban from every fast food restaurant in America. They don’t deserve the air they breathe. Swine.
I think they could MAYBE make a case for not having their medical expenses paid in full if that was promised but that is it. Of course it is ideal that the show help and keep an eye on their mental health but this is a documentary so I don’t think it’s the show’s responsibility. Also I have noticed that more in more recent seasons Dr Now is sending them to psychotherapy earlier on than they did before. There’s also the fact that so many of the people on the show refuse to go to psychotherapy. I HIGHLY doubt that all of these “cast members” (idk what else to call them) are going to therapy for their mental health issues now so it’s unfair to put all that responsibility on the producers and Dr Now. Knowing that at least half of these “cast members” did not lose a significant amount of weight on the program just makes them so much less credible as well in my opinion.
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I. Still believe the doctor is
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No personal accountability …I guess it’s everyone else’s fault that they all weigh 600+lbs too! Kind a like people suing fast food because they got fat! LOL
Those people are disgusting. And that judge apparently doesn’t mind supporting their fat, lazy, complaining a$$es. How are those slobs going to get to court? Or will MORE allowances be made by letting them testify via video? It’s time those lard butts be responsible for their own choices. They ruin and manipulate the lives of everyone around them. And they have the nerve to sue the only people on the face of the earth who tried to help them. A little gratitude and a 1,200 cal a day diet is what those useless pigs need. Not more money.
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They should be grateful that Dr.Now is helping them.But instead they want to sue him.Also they are so miserable and nasty to him on the show.They get mad at him for not sticking to there diets.Like he always says “the scale don’t lie”. I give him credit because he has a lot of patience dealing with them.Bottom line is they don’t want to stop eating.There just frigen blimps!
These people should be thanking their lucky stars that Dr. Now took them on when no one else would. All of the 600 pound people had major mental issues BEFORE they had the surgery. No one gets to 600 pounds without underlying mental issues.
LB Bonner suffered from mental illness all of his life. It was his choice to get the surgery.
These people are ruining it for all the people waiting in line for the surgery. I am going to guess that they have all gained their weight back.
If they win the settlement I am sure they will use the money to buy more junk food and eat to their heart’s content. Oh, and continue to collect disability. Maybe their goal is to reach 800 pounds.
IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT MONEY DR NOW IS EXCELLENT DOCTOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE GET MORE FREE HEALTH CARE AN ALSO THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE PETS THEY NEVER FEED THE POOR DOGS OR CATS ANIMAL WELFARE FOR PETS ALSO NEEDS TO GET INVOLVED TO PROTECT THEIR PETS PATRICIA
They are losers. All the help and compassion dr now showed them. Not to mention free medical care. All these people do is live iff the system and are looking for another handout
I tried helping to cast members from San Antonio, TX. Free exercise programs and even to work out with them. When the day would come to me up, no one would answer the phone or come to the door. I’m almost certain they were offered mental health help and the cast members just refused to participate. Another on a long list of excuses to stay obese.
If you people would love life more than you love food you would not be sueing the company who is trying to help your fat asses. Say thank god there was a man like Dr now other doctors refused to do surgery on so extremely overweight people
I tried helping two cast members from San Antonio, TX where live. I offered free exercise programs and to work out them, but time after time when I went to meet them, they wouldn’t answer the door or return phone calls. After 6 times, I just said forget it. I have no doubt in my mind that those cast members were offered mental health care and the cast members just refused to participate. Our 600 lb American is slowly dying and it’s sad af.
These people should be thanking their lucky stars that Dr. Now took them on when no one else would. All of the 600 pound people had major mental issues BEFORE they had the surgery. No one gets to 600 pounds without underlying mental issues.
LB Bonner suffered from mental illness all of his life. It was his choice to get the surgery.
These people are ruining it for all the people waiting in line for the surgery. I am going to guess that they have all gained their weight back.
If they win the settlement I am sure they will use the money to buy more junk food and eat to their heart’s content. Oh, and continue to collect disability. Maybe their goal is to reach 800 pounds.
Gina Krassley
Miss GG and Lexa are looking for the digets their career in “adult entertainment” sitting on people didnt make them enough $.
I think all of y’all are Wright I watch the show every season. Just someone wants to get rich. He’s a good Dr. And when he’s gone there’s no o e to do there surgery on them anymore I new it was coming and ask myself well it has came the people are still big to. They should have followed what the Dr. Said I am for Dr. Now?
Some of the biggest crybabies and manipulators are involved. Jeanne Gina Dottie to name a few. Again blaming others for their failures. Most of them already get disability for their obesity, so they may as well try to squeeze money out of the doctor that tried to help them. Unbelievable the lack of personal responsibility these people have. Smdh.
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Well. I can see that the biggest crybabies of the series are involved. Gina, Jeanne, dottie and nicole. I’m not surprised they are suing. They complained and moaned the whole time. Whining about how they couldn’t lose weight. Trying to manipulate the doctors, their caregivers etc. I hope their cases get dismissed.
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I hope they don’t cancel Dr. Nowzardans show . I’m 89 and it’s my favorite show. .
HANNAH BAUMANN
Wrong. Dr now is brilliant hes given them there lives back and they do get councilling but they are to lazy to go. The judge needs a bang on the head the twat.
All the ones that quit his program now crying they’re worse off. Notice the seasons beforehand that actually lost the weight didn’t sue? Guess I’m glad my taxes are paying for their lawyers ?
If you get to 600 plus then you should take yourself to court and steel yourself the doctor didn’t put you up to 600 plus he does what he he was taught would listen to what he said you would have lost the weight that’s my opinion and if you don’t like it oh well
Take yourself to court for gaining 600 plus. there is no magic pill.you gain that weight then you thoughts the doctor is wrong? NO he is not in the wrong you ten plus are the ones that is wrong.
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Blame everyone else for their problems, their own fault they didn’t lose weight not they want money to finish eating themselves to death.
If you get to 600 plus then you should take yourself to court and steel yourself the doctor didn’t put you up to 600 plus he does what he he was taught would listen to what he said you would have lost the weight that’s my opinion and if you don’t like it oh well
These some of the people are so ungrateful for the help Dr now gives them.he goes beyond the call and they either don’t care or are just taking up his time. I’d your not committed and want to blame everyone else for ur condition stay home and be miserable.dont wast his time.#LOVE DR NOW
What? Are you demanding? What are you thinking about? How is possible that you are doing this to the Production and Dr.Now after they help and spend money and resources in each one of you guys. This is all about ? as always!
I am with you Dr. Now
This is one of my favorites TV Shows!
Keep eating til you explode! Dr. Now says this is a tool (weight loss surgery) NOT a cure. Shove that fast food in …. then blame the show. You fat ppl are gross. So are your attorneys. The taxpayers are footing your bills.
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I can’t believe that these people are demanding the production and Dr. Now after they help them. All this is about money as always $$$,$$$,$$$!
Lawyers looking for people to make money and people looking for more money! Dr. Now I am with you!
Being over 500 pounds myself I can see those who are taken their complaints to their lawyer and trying to get money those people are wrong I was on 1000 calories a day and after 30 days lost just 75 pounds.. wasn’t hungry at all.. if you want to lose the weight then tell yourself you can do it… stop making excuses of all your shit going on in life
I am now just shy of 225 pounds it’s been since 2004 when I had my gastric bypass doing good keep weight the same withing a couple pounds..so you who are mad at dr.now grow up hear what he is telling you. Stop being lazy and fat.
Wow again it’s not a magic pill sorry lazy people I myself enjoyed 600 lbs show I follow and lost weight 1200 and it works just finding excuses no one said it’s easy and yes your Lawyer’s Agree money talks shame on use. Good luck 600 lbs fans will miss use sorry loser’s had to work hard and couldn’t do it and now crying to Lawyer’s.
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I think that anyone that gets the chance for gastric bypass and they try very hard to help these people that are mentally ill with an addiction.No one can help u if you don’t try to help yourself.l love Dr Now and I think it is a great thing that he does.Most people would die because they cant afford that operation. Theae people want something for nothing .They will ruin it for people that really want it.Because they will stop and many obese people will die.
I think these subjects are unappreciative of everything that Dr. Now has done for them. The subjects would have died without the surgery period! The one that did die, well, sometimes the heart and respiratory system is so compromised already by the person carrying around the weight for a kind period of time that it’s too late to save them. Heart disease is not curable, one the heart is damaged it’s damaged. It’s a 50/50 chance of making it, however it’s not Dr. Nows fault. He tried to save him.
These people are very poor and are just looking to sue to collect money.
EVERY single one would be DEAD without him. Period! Instead of Eddie Bonners family looking for a big settlement after the fact that this money won’t bring him back, they should start a crusade to try to teach people the effects of Morbid Obesity as what kind of life Eddie had and how HE caused his obesity! None of these people deserve a penny.
This show keeps me in focus of my own weight loss of next month being 16 yrs post Bariatric surgery and I am proud to say, I have kept it ALL off on my own! The surgery is a toll, it can’t make you miraculously lose weight, just eat less. Poor food choices and it’s YOUR fault you regained weight or didn’t loose weight and nobody else’s. I pray to God that Dr. Now and the cast of Megalomedia stay on tv because I need Dr. Now and so do others, love Dr. Now.
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I as well was on the show and they didn’t pay my medical bills they are in collections mow
Everyone can talk about ambulance chasing lawyers, money hunger etc but you cant deny that something is wrong here and that these people were used and abused.
Actually, this company and Dr Now have been pretty stupid too. The goal is to get Dr Now patients too obviously, some mental support would have helped participants to have better results.
I think it’s pretty gross the show pretends to give the participants mental health care while they don’t. What kind of mental health provider agrees to participate in that and risk their own good name?
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What? Are you demanding? What are you thinking about? How is possible that you are doing this to the Production and Dr.Now after they help and spend money and resources in each one of you guys. This is all about ? as always!
I am with you Dr. Now
This is one of my favorites TV Shows!
Not sure why you’re getting downvoted so much.
If mental health care and medical bills were promised and listed as something that is to be taken care of by production, then production should uphold that promise in exchange for these people basically being made a spectacle of on TV.
I know they agreed to be on the show, but I can guarantee you none of them would have agreed to it if they’d have known those “promises” would have been swept out from under their feet.
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It’s not right for Dr. Now & the others to get sued. I had weight loss surgery done in March of this year and you have to be mentally & physically prepared for it and want to change, and the only one to blame is yourself if you don’t follow and listen to the doctor, they are there with you to help you. Only you can change your eating habits, so don’t put the blame on the doctor, I never met Dr. Now but I like to watch his shows.
I would guess that the patients who filed lawsuits against Dr. Now are all failured in their weight loss efforts. If they were down to a slim 200 lbs. they would not be part of the lawsuit. Dr. Now didn’t need the show to solicit patients. Very few docs will do weight loss surgery on such huge peeps! The show follows patients, who many times, fail to lose weight & reach a healthy weight. I guess these 9 patients (excluding Bonner) are at the next step- the lawsuit step!
they show the people in the bathroom. its almost like porn. so no one can say the show isnt exploitative.
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Lawsuit i mean really. All Dr. Now ever did was help them. Well go ahead rule in their favor then they can go buy a restaurant and get even big. I MEAN REALLY PEOPLE.