Cosmetic surgery claims for compensation

Cosmetic surgery claims for compensation can be some of the most severe that the expert team here at The Injury Lawyers helps people with on a No Win, No Fee basis.

It is possible to claim compensation as a victim of negligence in this kind of scenario, and we have plenty of experience in it as leading claims lawyers.

In this article, we will provide some general advice about claims of this nature, and you can also contact the team for free, no-obligation advice here now.

Ongoing issues about the dangers of the cosmetic industry

Cosmetic surgery has been increasingly popular for a number of years now, and the options for private treatment and enhancements are now incredibly varied. There has been a lack of regulation with regards to the way in which this lucrative market is monitored, and major scandals like the PIP Breast Implant issues of the last decade is a stark reminder as to the extent of how badly things can go wrong.

It is clear to me that any surgeon or practitioner administering cosmetic procedures should be held to the same standards as any healthcare professional is. When it comes to matters of clear and informed consent, skill and expertise, and before and aftercare, what is being offered must be extensive and professional. Any procedure, particularly when it is invasive, usually carries inherent risks, and some can be significant. It can be easy to just assume that you won’t end up being “that person” who suffers, but known risks are known for a reason, and some can be very serious indeed.

Standards must be high, and safeguards must be in place. Where something goes wrong, injured patients must be able to bring cosmetic surgery claims effectively, which means there at least should be insurance or funds in place for coverage. One of the major issues that prevented thousands of women from claiming the compensation they deserved as victims of the PIP Breast Implant Scandal was that clinics and surgeons were not insured specifically for medical implant matters, which allowed many to effectively get away with not paying a penny due to the lack of indemnity. Whilst we have recovered over £1.3m in damages for victims of this scandal ourselves, this figure could have been triple or even quadruple this figure if effective insurance was in place.

When could patients pursue cosmetic surgery claims?

It is possible to pursue cosmetic surgery claims for personal injury compensation if you have suffered as a result of this kind of procedure. A victim could be entitled to claim general damages for any pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused. In addition, there may be a claim for losses and expenses, and this could include private surgery elsewhere for any problems to be corrected.

What we need to do is establish that you have been the victim of negligence, perhaps due to poor skill or technique, or general errors. It may come down to a lack of informed consent, or poor aftercare or preparation. The other key thing we need to assess, as we have touched on above, is ensuring that the Defendant has the means to be able to pay out a claim, whether by insurance or through assets and funds.