COSMETIC AND PLASTIC SURGERY CLAIMS

The number of people undergoing cosmetic surgery has increased considerably over recent years with an estimated 75,000 operations being performed each year. With this increase there has also been an increased number of claims for compensation with over £7 million in compensation having been reported as being paid out in the past 13 years.

To help prevent the level of substandard cosmetic surgery providers, the National Care Standards Commission has now introduced new regulations. This scheme allows for the regulation and inspection of clinics and individuals to “ensure the safety and well-being of individuals having treatment”. This scheme ensures that all doctors registering after 1st April 2002 are not entitled to perform cosmetic surgery without completing specialist surgical training. This however only applies to those doctors registering after this date and not prior to this.

Despite these regulations each year hundreds of compensation claims are brought by individuals who have not been satisfied with their plastic or cosmetic surgery. Many claims are brought due to the failure on the part of the medical expert to adequately explain the risks of the procedure, the actual procedure itself or due to the postoperative care. The largest number of claims relate to breast and facial surgery followed by rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) and face lifts. Claims due to complications following laser eye surgery have also been at the forefront of the news.

What type of compensation claims do you deal with?

We are able to deal with all aspects of cosmetic surgery claims including:

• Ineffective results from chemical peels, laser surgery and dermabrasion.
• Unexpected scarring caused by face-lifts
• Ineffective results from rhinoplasty
• Injury to the accessory nerve following a face-lift
• Unexpected scarring following breast uplifting or reduction surgery
• Unexpected scarring following liposuction procedures
• Perforation to the bowel following liposuction
• Cosmetic surgery performed without consent
• Vision problems following laser surgery

I think I have a claim. Where do I go from here?

This can be an extremely complex area and it is essential that you speak to a specialist solicitor as soon as possible. Ashton Lake Solicitors are specialists in bringing medical negligence claims. We are skilled in identifying from the medical records and witness evidence what procedures were followed from the first contact with the cosmetic surgery provider through to the pre and postoperative period and beyond. We will detect and prove negligent action on the part of the medical professional where they have provided a sub standard level of care. Our aim is to get to the truth of how and why the negligent action occurred and to obtain the maximum compensation possible. We pride ourselves in high levels of client care and will always progress your claim with sensitivity at every stage of the process.

If you wish to make an enquiry then please complete the online enquiry form or call 01509 262621 to speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor who will be available to discuss your case further. We offer a wide choice of funding arrangements including no win no fee.