Wood River attorney Thomas Maag filed a lawsuit against a Russian medical doctor who allegedly lures “desperate” patients from the U.S. to Germany for “miracle cures” to restore their eyesight, but the procedures allegedly result in no improvements.
Maag filed the complaint in the Madison County Circuit Court on behalf of Illinois resident Jeffrey A. Bridges against Anton Fedorov and Fedorov Restore Vision Clinic.
Maag argues that the defendants “are acting in a fraudulent and deceptive manner, targeting weak and desperate people, seeking what are, in essence, miracle cures.”
According to the complaint, Fedorov Restore Vision Clinic claims to be a medical company located in Berlin, Germany. Fedorov is an alleged medical doctor who claims he graduated with distinction from the Saint Petersburg Medical University in Russia, along with other alleged medical qualifications. Fedorov owns and operates Fedorov Restore Vision Clinic.
Maag argues that Madison County jurisdiction is appropriate because Fedorov Restore Vision Clinic does “substantial” business in Illinois “through direct targeting of English language websites advertising and the like.” Fedorov communicated with Bridges in Illinois, accepted payment made from Illinois and made representations
Maag wrote that Fedorov directly targeted “desperate” Illinoisans via “an extensive English language web site and advertising system,” which he claims is used to lure them to Germany. The defendants allegedly require down payments in addition to other undisclosed payments once the patient arrives in Germany.
“Defendants advertise questionable and untested medical treatments that are not approved for use in the United States, and target persons, like plaintiff, who are desperate to restore and/or repair their damaged eyesight,” he wrote.
“Despite their fancy website, and clever marketing, few, if any, of defendant’s ‘patients’ ever actually see any eye improvement,” he added.
Maag claims Fedorov’s system is designed to bring in foreign cash, generating about $4 million U.S. dollars each month from “unsuspecting victims.”
Specifically, Bridges allegedly suffered $15,000 in economic damages in addition to lost time and aggravation.
Maag seeks compensatory and punitive damages from the defendants for Bridges’ emotional distress, lost opportunity, lost time, aggravation and lost money.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 24-LA-514