Lawsuit: Man Says He Was Denied Hair Transplant Because of HIV Status

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A South Florida man says he was denied a hair transplant because he is HIV positive.

Diego Del Rio filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Broward Circuit Court. The 28-year-old says he was refused a hair transplant by Dr. Brett Bolton of the Age Defying Surgical Center.

Del Rio says he told Bolton he is HIV positive. After a series of phone calls to the center to follow up, a "staffing medical coordinator" told him the office would not treat him.

Neither Bolton's office nor his attorney, Gabriel Imperato, returned phone calls from The Associated Press on Thursday.

The Florida Health Department says denying someone treatment simply because they are HIV positive is against state law.

Del Rio is suing for $15,000 or more in damages.