A tip provided by Dr. Mehmet Oz in April 2012 resulted in a lawsuit against the natural remedy celebrity doctor, the plaintiff's attorney announced on Monday via the NY Daily News.
Frank Dietl, 76, claims that after taking Dr. Oz's advice to fill some socks with rice, microwave it and then put the socks on your feet -- it would induce sleep for those suffering from mild insomnia.
Dr. Oz called the natural remedy, the "knapsack heated rice footsie."
Although Dr. Oz, 52, warned viewers to take care that the socks didn't get too hot in the microwave.
Deitl claimed, through his attorney, Dominick Gullo, that Deitl wasn't properly warned however, that the remedy, along with his medical condition, would result in third-degree burns. The alleged victim also suffers from diabetes and claims he was bed-ridden for several weeks.
Deitl, who suffers from diabetes, has a comorbid condition called neuropathy which can cause numbness in the feet.
Gullo asserts that Dr. Oz was negligent in failing to offer a better disclaimer by adequately warning those with medical conditions to refrain from trying this home particular remedy.
Dr. Oz explained how the treatment works by saying that the socks work as a warm compress, causing the rest of your body to cool, which in turn, makes one sleepy.
Dr. Oz touted this remedy as an effective, natural sleep aid saying, "If you do this the right way, you'll be thanking me for years to come."
Dietl says the remedy left him incapacitated however. Deitl says that he fell asleep, not knowing how hot the "footsies" were and woke up to blistered feet.
The "Dr. Oz Show" has refrained from commenting on the case at this time, stating that they don't comment on pending lawsuits. A spokesman for Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions, Tim Sullivan, said they stand by Dr. Oz's recommendations and feel his advice is safe.
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