While many people are, understandably, scared of surgery, some choose to go under the knife in the name of looking good. They may want to get rid of excess fat and wrinkles as they get older; or maybe they want a face that defies age. Some common plastic surgery procedures include breast augmentations, nose jobs, liposuction, facelifts, chin and jaw reshaping, and butt lifts.
Just like with any surgical procedure, things can go wrong during plastic surgery. Cosmetic procedures, however, more commonly seem to be performed by surgeons who are not properly licensed. It’s not uncommon for plastic surgery patients to suffer botched surgeries and even become disabled or killed due to medical malpractice.
A patient injured during a plastic surgery can sue the surgeon for medical malpractice. However, these cases are often difficult to win. In fact, only 26% of claims against plastic surgeons result in awards for the victims. Here are some other things victims should know.
Common causes of plastic surgery medical malpractice
There are several main causes of plastic surgery issues:
- Surgical errors. This can happen in many forms and may include uneven breast augmentations, post-operative infections, bad facial filler injections, and wounds that don’t properly heal. These are all reasons to claim medical malpractice, but proving your claim can be quite challenging.
- Unlicensed surgeons. There have been thousands of cases where unlicensed doctors have convinced a patient to undergo a cosmetic procedure. To avoid this, never ever get treated outside of a medical facility. Also, prior to surgery, look up your surgeon on the Department of Health website and avoid doctors who do not have the proper credentials.
- Inexperienced doctors. A surgeon’s lack of experience is another problem in plastic surgery malpractice cases. The high demand for cosmetic procedures attracts unqualified individuals. Always check patient reviews and assess your surgeon’s reputation to ensure that they are in good standing.
What to know about plastic surgery claims
Plastic surgery medical malpractice can happen during any procedure, but breast surgery seems to be a common source of error. This is likely due to the volume of breast procedures performed by plastic surgeons.
Reoperations and emotional trauma made up two-thirds of claims. Many plastic surgery procedures are not done right the first time and require a revisional procedure. Plus, cosmetic outcomes not meeting patient expectations can result in emotional trauma. However, a patient’s unmet expectations do not often result in a viable medical malpractice claim.
Talk to a Tampa personal injury lawyer today
Even though plastic surgery is often an elective procedure, there is still a chance something can go wrong and cause you to suffer serious injuries.
Consenting to a procedure does not excuse medical malpractice. If you have been injured by a doctor’s negligence, seek legal help from a Tampa medical malpractice lawyer from Palmer | Lopez. If your physician did not treat you with a certain standard of care, you could receive compensation for all your damages. To schedule a free initial consultation, call (813) 506-5651 or fill out the online form.
Source:
thedoctors.com/articles/plastic-surgery-closed-claims-study-reveals-most-common-case-types-abstract/
