Art of Dermatology lawsuits since 2023 include a federal wage-and-hour case brought by a former Naples office manager, an eviction action by the practice’s Naples landlord, a commercial case in Oakland County, Michigan, and a separate federal case in the Eastern District of Michigan. All have been resolved through settlement or dismissal. Separately, the practice’s founder, Dr. Chethana Gottam, has a satisfied disciplinary matter noted on her Florida medical license.
Watts v. Art of Dermatology, the Naples Wage Case
The most publicly reported case was filed in 2023 by Marnie Watts, a former office manager at the Naples, Florida location. Watts sued under case number 2:23-cv-979, naming both Dr. Chethana Gottam and her husband, Vikram Gottam, who serves as the practice’s CEO.1Troy Chamber of Commerce. Art of Dermatology PLLC Member Profile
Watts alleged the practice owed her overtime pay and a $5,000 recruitment bonus under her employment contract. She also claimed the company deducted health insurance premiums from her paychecks without actually paying the premiums to the insurer, leaving her to cover medical expenses out of pocket.2WINK News. Naples Practice Comes Under Fire From a Former Employee
Watts raised broader concerns about the Naples office as well. She alleged the practice lacked a Health Care Clinic Establishment permit, a business license, a business tax license, and insurance. Without the state HCCE permit, she said, the practice could not legitimately order prescription drugs in Florida and was instead shipping medications from its Michigan office.2WINK News. Naples Practice Comes Under Fire From a Former Employee
The practice pushed back. After Watts posted negative comments about Art of Dermatology on the NextDoor app, the company sent her a cease-and-desist letter threatening a defamation suit. Watts removed the posts and no defamation case was filed. The practice also accused Watts of rerouting insurance checks to her home address, but the Naples Police Department investigated and found no evidence of criminal activity.2WINK News. Naples Practice Comes Under Fire From a Former Employee
Through a public relations firm, Art of Dermatology acknowledged “unexpected license and permitting paperwork delays” when the Florida office first opened, but said the issues had been resolved and all permits were current. The company said Watts “was a former employee who worked for us for a very short period of time” and disputed any wrongdoing.2WINK News. Naples Practice Comes Under Fire From a Former Employee
The case was dismissed with prejudice on June 24, 2024, following a court-approved settlement. The settlement terms were not publicly disclosed.3CaseMine. Watts v. Art of Dermatology, LLC
The Naples Eviction Suit
Around the same time as the Watts dispute, the landlord at Art of Dermatology’s Goodlette Frank Road offices in Naples filed a separate suit to evict the practice. The landlord alleged the practice had failed to make loan or lease payments on equipment and lacked required business licensing and insurance documentation.2WINK News. Naples Practice Comes Under Fire From a Former Employee That case was also settled. The landlord’s name and the settlement terms were not publicly reported.
Lender Capital Group v. Art of Dermatology
In Michigan, Lender Capital Group filed a commercial case against Art of Dermatology and Dr. Chethana Gottam (listed under her full name, Gottam Chethana Chandrupatla) in Oakland County Circuit Court on March 26, 2024. The case was classified as a general commercial or business claim. The dollar amount and underlying facts were not publicly detailed.4Trellis Law. Lender Capital Group vs. Art of Dermatology
Resolution came quickly. A stipulated order dismissing the case without prejudice was entered on April 9, 2024, followed by an order dismissing it with prejudice on April 29, 2024, indicating the parties reached an agreement within weeks of filing.4Trellis Law. Lender Capital Group vs. Art of Dermatology
Kriegsmann v. The Art of Dermatology
A separate federal case, Kriegsmann v. The Art of Dermatology, PLLC (No. 23-11280), was filed in the Eastern District of Michigan and assigned to Judge Shalina D. Kumar. Capital One Bank (USA), N.A. was also named as a defendant. The specific claims are not detailed in publicly available records.5Leagle. Kriegsmann v. The Art of Dermatology, PLLC
On August 26, 2024, Judge Kumar granted a motion in favor of Capital One Bank. The plaintiff, Mellisa Kriegsmann, moved for reconsideration, and Judge Kumar denied that motion on February 12, 2025.5Leagle. Kriegsmann v. The Art of Dermatology, PLLC
Dr. Gottam’s Florida Disciplinary Record
The Florida Department of Health’s license verification portal shows Dr. Chethana Gottam holds an active, clear medical license (ME151146), expiring January 31, 2027. The portal also marks “Yes” for both “Discipline on File” and “Public Complaint.”6Florida Department of Health. License Verification – Chethana Chandrupatla Gottam
The enforcement action record lists a single case (No. 202443694) with a status of “Obligation(s) Satisfied,” meaning whatever corrective requirements were imposed have been completed. The public record does not describe the nature of the complaint or the discipline. The license remains active.7Florida Department of Health. Enforcement Actions – Chethana Chandrupatla Gottam