Medical Negligence Claims

Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery compensation claims

If you have suffered as a result of negligent cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery, you may be able to make a medical negligence compensation claim.

Cosmetic surgery has undergone a boom in popularity in recent years in the UK. Unfortunately some of the medical staff conducting these procedures are under-qualified and do not have the necessary specialist skills to carry out the operations safely. New rules were introduced to ensure that all doctors registering after 1st April 2002 have to undergo specialist surgical training before being allowed to conduct cosmetic surgery. However, anyone registered before that date can remain unregulated and may not have undergone any specialist surgical training.

Doctors and nurses working in the private sector still owe the same duty of care to their patients as those working within the NHS. As many cosmetic surgery operations are conducted on a private fee paying basis (rather than through the NHS) you can sue on a breach of contract basis if you have received negligent care. We can also help you to pursue a claim if your operation was carried out by the NHS.

Some of the common areas of negligence within the cosmetic and plastic surgery fields include:

• Unexpected scarring following operations – this can include facelifts, breast implants and uplifts, breast reduction and liposuction
• Unevenness after breast implants, breast reduction or uplifts
• Infections following surgery
• Injury to the accessory nerve after a face lift operation
• Problems with eye sight following laser eye surgery

We can pursue compensation claims following any type of surgery where someone can be shown to have been negligent including: rhinoplasty, otoplasty, mentoplasty, chin tucks, hair replacement, liposuction, breast implants, breast reduction, breast uplifting, chemical peels, laser eye surgery, face lifts (rhytidectomy).

If you underwent another type of surgery not listed please call us to discuss your case as we may still be able to help you make a claim.

What can I claim?

The value of your claim will depend on a number of factors including:

• The nature of the injury or illness
• Whether you recover fully from the injury or illness or if it has a long term effect on your health and wellbeing
• The amount of any losses you incur as a result of the injury

You can claim compensation for the following things if they are a result of your injury:

• Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
• Loss of earnings
• Medical and nursing care costs
• Special equipment needed to carry out daily activities and any costs involved in adapting your home
• Other expenses incurred as a result of your injury, for example, travel expenses incurred whilst receiving medical treatment.

Contact us to speak to one of our specialist lawyers in total confidence and they will discuss the details of your claim.