| Claims against Dr Wong discontinued as Lanzer Class Action moves forwardMaddens LawyersPlaintiffs in the Dr Lanzer Class Action will continue to pursue compelling claims against seven defendants, after they successfully discontinued their claims against Dr George Shu-Khim Wong. Justice Jacinta Forbes issued her ruling on the application on 1 April 2025 after the parties appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria in February. The discontinuance means the plaintiffs no longer pursue claims of negligence, misleading and deceptive conduct, or breach of statutory guarantees against Dr Wong in the class action. Two other claims against the Lanzer Clinic, Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Services (DCSS) relating to Dr Wong were also discontinued, including the claims that DCSS breached its contract with patients who underwent cosmetic surgery performed by Dr Wong and is “vicariously liable for alleged negligence” in respect of such patients. In her ruling, Justice Forbes stated: “I am satisfied that the outcome is not unfair or unreasonable nor adverse to the interests of group members…” because “first, and critically, the effect of the proposed orders is that group members are restored to the legal position that existed prior to the joinder of Dr Wong to the group proceeding.” Dr Wong was the sixth doctor performing cosmetic surgeries at Dr Lanzer clinics to be added as a defendant to the class action in October 2022. Of the more than 1,000 registered group members in the class action to date, only a small number identify as having received services from Dr Wong. A notice of the discontinuance will be forwarded to all registered and potential group members in the coming weeks. The class action continues to move forward against DCSS, Dr Daniel Lanzer, Dr Daniel Aronov, the estate of Dr Daniel Darbyshire, Dr Ryan Wells, and Dr Alieza Fallahi. Psychologist Candice Wainstein, who is the wife of Dr Aronov, is also a defendant. Maddens Lawyers’ Class Action Principal Kathryn Emeny said the discontinuance of claims against Dr Wong was a positive step. “We continue to focus on advancing what we consider to be compelling claims in negligence, misleading and deceptive conduct, and breaches of the Australian Consumer Law relating to sales tactics by the remaining defendants which include Dr Lanzer, Dr Aronov and Dr Wells,” Ms Emeny said. “We have heard from hundreds of patients who have been adversely impacted by these practices. The repercussions for patients both physically and mentally are broad ranging and in any many instances, life altering. It is shocking to hear about people’s experiences. “We, along with each of the four lead plaintiffs representing the class, are committed to holding these doctors to account.” Despite the discontinuance, Dr Wong remains a party to the proceeding because of the operation of defences of the remaining defendants. Those defences make apportionment claims against Dr Wong in respect of the plaintiffs’ claims of misleading and deceptive conduct, which defences seeks to distribute legal responsibility among multiple defendants.Maddens Lawyers launched the Dr Lanzer Class Action in 2022 on behalf of all patients who suffered loss and damage due to cosmetic surgery performed at Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Services Pty Ltd by one or more of the defendants.Ms Emeny said the action continues to progress with the plaintiffs successfully obtaining Court orders in a ruling of Associate Justice Caroline Goulden on 1 May 2025 for the doctors to produce social media material from their Instagram and TikTok accounts.“The plaintiffs have sought a trial date for 2026; however, the next steps of the case depend on the Supreme Court’s orders to be issued by Justice Andrew John Keogh,” she said.Maddens Lawyers are advancing the Dr Lanzer class action on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. Prior patients of Dr Lanzer’s clinics are encouraged to register online at www.maddenslawyers.com.au/drlanzer or contact the firm on 1800 139 290. About Maddens Lawyers Maddens Lawyers class action experts have acted on behalf of thousands of people and successfully recovered more than $150 million in compensation. Our work in representing groups of people stretches back to the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires in Victoria where Maddens Lawyers issued more than 400 individual claims and secured in excess of $40 million in compensation for the victims. Other notable class actions in which Maddens Lawyers has been the driving force include Victoria’s 2015 Scotsburn bushfire, New South Wales’ 2009 Walla Walla bushfire, and more recently, the 2022 Toyota Diesel Defeat Device Class Action. Our class action department continually works on behalf of groups impacted by large scale incidents across Australia, helping them through the often overwhelming and complex legal process and allowing them to be stronger together. | ||
Australian Class Action Discontinued – Lanzer Class Action
