Cosmetic Surgery Claims

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.