Cosmetic Surgery Claims

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  • “They are able to handle all clinical negligence claims including the very biggest catastrophic brain injury claims.”

  • Stephanie Prior leads the team with real experience and commitment to her clients – with 10 years of experience as a registered general nurse, she is well placed to support clients through complex and sensitive claims.”

  • “Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.”

Cosmetic treatment is a booming billion-pound business, with over 100,000 medical and non-medical procedures carried out every year in the UK. But whilst demand is high, confidence in this “murky world” (Peter Walsh, Chief Executive of Action Against Medical Accidents) is low, and many now question the safety record and fitness for purpose of cosmetic surgery clinics.

There were already concerns about standards and the lack of regulation, but the government decided to act following reports of medical negligence in the PIP breast implant scandal in 2011 when it emerged that 47,000 UK women had implants that carried double the normal risk of rupture. Respondents to the government review called for a ban on aggressive sales and advertising. The report will be published in March.

Risks from non-invasive surgery

There are plenty of cases of malpractice and substandard treatment, and reform is now overdue. The problem seems to be a combination of the lack of regulation and the high demand; there is no requirement to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for non-surgical treatments, so anyone with a modicum of training can hold themselves out as a cosmetic treatment practitioner and perform non-surgical treatments – and the majority of treatments are non-surgical – and there is fierce price competition to meet the demand.

These non-surgical treatments include practices that are less invasive than surgery but which nonetheless carry a risk of injury, and which are usually directed at smoothing the appearance of the skin, such as Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, laser treatment and hair transplant.

Botulinum toxin (or Botox) is a muscle paralysis agent used to relax facial muscles and so to reduce lines and wrinkles. Occasionally Botox injections cause some drooping of the eyelid or a raising of the eyebrow and require corrective treatment.

Dermal fillers are another popular way of ironing out facial wrinkles. The procedure involves injecting hyaluronic acid or collagen into the skin. It is generally regarded as safe but reported complications include numbness, lumps and bumps, movement, swelling, inflammation and infection.

Chemical peels are also designed to reduce the appearance of facial lines and to improve the texture of the skin, by removing the outer layer of the epidermis to allow a new layer of fresh cells to grow back. Effects are usually mild but there is a risk of permanent pigmentation (lightening or darkening of the skin) and of infection.

Laser treatment can be used to remove unwanted facial or bodily hair and also to reduce scars and blemishes (laser skin resurfacing). As with all laser treatments, there is a risk of burns, pigmentation and scarring.

How Can We Help With Your Cosmetic Surgery Claims?

If you have undergone a treatment that did not leave you with the desired results and which you believe was carried out incorrectly contact us to speak to a member of our personal injury team who will speak to you in more detail about all aspects of your cosmetic surgery claims and let you know what documents you may need to provide to move forward in your cosmetic surgery claims, should you decide to proceed. Be assured that all information you provide us will remain confidential.

Contact us about Cosmetic Surgery Claims

Call us to speak with a lawyer 020 7485 8811

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






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    • Osbornes is a very respected firm in the marketplace.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • They handle really complex cases very well

      Chambers UK 2024

    • The clinical negligence team are knowledgeable and professional in their approach and demonstrate a high level of skill in litigation work.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • Osbornes Law offers experience in obstetric and fatal claims as well as niche cauda equina cases.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • Osbornes Law is an established firm which handles a breadth of complex and high-value clinical negligence matters.

      Chambers UK 2024

    • Osbornes has a skilled team of solicitors advising clients on a wide range of clinical negligence matters.

      Legal 500 2024

    • Hard working, approachable, good knowledge of clinical negligence and clients’ specific conditions

      Legal 500 2024

    • A joy to work with and always 100% client focused at all times.

      Legal 500 2024

    • The clinical negligence team at Osbornes is much lauded for its ability to ‘represent the diverse range of London-based clients

      Legal 500 2024

    • “The team is very quick and efficient in responding."

      CHAMBERS UK 2023

    • "Obsbornes Law is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes for clients."

      CHAMBERS UK 2023

    • ‘They are ambitious for their clients and expect high standards from all who work with them.’

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Osbornes somehow combine the accessibility of a local firm, with the professional standards of a national or city outfit."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Osbornes, is described as having ‘superb judgement and a medical knowledge that is second to none."

      Legal 500 2023

    • Stephanie has developed a particularly strong reputation for her handling of birth injury claims, as well as cases concerning surgical negligence and delays in surgery.

      Chambers UK

    • "An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie Prior takes on complex cases and gets excellent results. She has a background in medicine which serves her clients well and is a realistic but tough litigator."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie Prior is hugely dedicated, adored by her clients, tenacious, efficient and extremely knowledgeable."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie Prior is very good with troubled clients and is easily able to make them feel at ease."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie shows sensitivity and deals with things in an understanding way."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • Osbornes provides a very intimate and personal client service which is increasingly rare in this sector.

      Legal 500 2020 - Clinical Negligence

    • The lawyers in the team are highly experienced and will drive cases very hard on behalf of their clients.

      Legal 500 2020 - Clinical Negligence

    • "Stephanie Prior has a realistic attitude to the complexities of the cases. She wins the trust of her clients and goes the extra mile to ensure they get the best outcomes."

      Legal 500 2020 - Stephanie Prior

    • "Stephanie Prior... manages a varied caseload, including obstetric claims, child and adult brain injury cases and fatal and non-fatal spinal cord injury cases."

      Chambers UK

    • "Stephanie is experienced, knowledgeable of all aspects of clinical negligence work, and strategic in running cases."

      Chambers UK

    • "An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."

      Chambers UK

    • "The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."

      Chambers UK

    • Stephanie Prior is always very professional and kind. Highly recommended.

      Medical Negligence Client

    • Quite simply excellent, with a highly competent and well-rounded team. They understand complex medical litigation and have been our lifesavers, and we will always owe them our immense gratitude.

      Medical Negligence Client

    Medical Negligence Accreditations

    • Times best law firm 2024
    • scil logo
    • legal 500 leading firm
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    Types of cosmetic surgery claims we can help with

    Breast Implant Compensation

    Tummy tuck

    This innocuous-sounding procedure, a form of body contouring (another innocuous-sounding procedure), is in fact major surgery (abdominoplasty), which involves cutting open the abdomen and removing fatty deposits. Besides the usual risks of surgery, such as bleeding and infection, there will be a large surgical scar (usually below the swimwear line).

    Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

    This is a common treatment designed to improve the appearance of the tissue around the eyes by reducing bags and shadow below the eyes and lifting the age-related droop common in the eyelids. The skin is cut open and fatty deposits removed. There is always a risk of damage with surgery so close to the eye, and scar tissue can distort the appearance of the eyes.

    Liposuction

    This is a popular procedure for removing those fatty deposits that may be resistant to more conventional, natural methods of body contouring, often around the abdomen, hips, bottom and thighs. Advantages include the relatively non invasive nature of the operation: it can be carried out under local anaesthetic and produces only a small incision, through which a small cannula is inserted and through which in turn the fat is aspirated. Complications are rare but can include infection, tissue damage and scarring.

    Facelift/neck lift

    Facelift surgery is one of the oldest and well established forms of plastic surgery. It is considered effective in improving the appearances of ageing and is often used in conjunction with surgery to the nose, ears and eyelids. It involves day case surgery to pull the skin away from the underlying fascia of the face and to remove excess fat and skin; smoothing out the skin of the face. This is however invasive surgery and it carries a risk of infection and other possible complications such as damage to the nerves supplying the facial muscles, tissue death (necrosis), bleeding and asymmetry.

    Nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) and ear reshaping (otoplasty).

    Rhinoplasty is the surgical remodelling of the cartilage in the nose to improve function or appearance. Non surgical techniques involve the injection of derma fillers. Otoplasty usually involves removing cartilage at the back of the ears to pin protruding ears back towards the head. Both procedures carry a risk of excessive bleeding, scar tissue and asymmetry.

    Hair transplant treatment

    This procedure involves the removal of a strip of hair follicles or single follicles of hair from a donor site at the sides or back of the head and their transplantation onto the bald or thinning areas, usually at the front and top of the head. If the operation is carried out badly it may result in infection, scarring and a non-viable transplant.

    Whilst the prospects of serious injury are small, the risks of a failed of botched procedure that makes the face look worse than before are much higher, and when the patient has paid, usually thousands of pounds, to a private clinic for beauty treatment, they do not expect to look worse as a result.

    In these cases we would look to bring a claim against the clinic and/or the practitioner in negligence and breach of contract for compensation for the ‘injury’ caused, the wasted treatment cost and the further cost of any remedial treatment together with any losses and expenses arising.

    From October 2010, all private cosmetic surgery providers have to be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and comply with 16 safety and quality requirements, including ensuring the suitability of professionals to provide services.

    Ensure that your surgeon is registered with the following and check out their qualifications:

    • British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS)
    • British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS)
    • General Medical Council

    Cosmetic surgery claims often arise because the surgery has not been carried out with the necessary skill by the surgeons and nurses or because the treatment and aftercare following surgery has been negligent.

    We recognise that when surgery goes wrong it impacts not only on the physical and financial wellbeing of the patient but also causes psychological and emotional distress.

    If your treatment was negligently carried out you may be entitled to claim compensation. Our specialist compensation solicitors will deal sensitively and professionally with your cosmetic surgery claim, helping you to obtain redress for the mistakes made.

    Can you make a claim for personal injury resulting from cosmetic surgery?

    If you have undergone a treatment which did not leave you with the desired results and which you believe was carried out incorrectly contact us to speak to a member of our personal injury team who will speak to you in more detail about all aspects of your claim and let you know what documents you may need to provide to move forward in your claim, should you decide to proceed. Be assured that all information you provide us will remain confidential.

    Contact our Medical Negligence Lawyers Today

    Call us to speak with a lawyer 020 7485 8811

    Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






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