A 36-year-old woman received £70,500 for facial scarring and a psychological reaction following cosmetic surgery in 2000.
She alleged that the surgeon responsible had failed to disclose the positioning and extent of the potential resultant scarring, and that subsequent corrective surgeries both subjected her to pain and suffering and cost her lost earnings and payment for medical treatment.
What Are the Risks of Cosmetic Surgery?
Before operating, cosmetic surgeons are legally and ethically required to inform potential clients of the risks, common complications and limitations of procedures. Cosmetic surgery risks include (but are not limited to):
Scarring
It is normal for surgery to cause some scarring, but in aiming to enhance your appearance, cosmetic procedures should ensure that marks are strategically placed to lessen visibility.
Infection
Although post-operative care includes measures to prevent infection, infection remains one of the most common complications of cosmetic surgery.
Haematoma
Following cosmetic surgery, particularly facelifts, a pocket of blood called a haematoma can form under the skin. Treatment can involve additional operations to drain the blood.
Seroma
Serum or sterile body fluid can also pool under the skin, resulting in swelling and sometimes pain. They can become infected, and are typically drained with a needle.
Misinformed about Cosmetic Surgery Risks
The Claimant (‘C’) attended a private clinic for a consultation with a surgeon (‘D’) regarding plastic surgery on her face. When she asked about the risks, she was informed that the operation was safe and shown photographs of people after similar surgery. The images showed no visible scarring after cosmetic surgery.
In December 2000, C was admitted and led to believe that any resultant scarring would be behind her ears.
After the operation, C suffered severe facial swelling and extreme pain. A few days later, the wounds around her eyes opened, and she also had puckering and puffiness around her eyes and a lump on one side of her face. A couple of months after the surgery, she still had scarring above her ears.
Over a period of 20 months between 2001 and 2002, C attended the clinic on 13 occasions for treatment which included putting steri-strips where the wounds around her eyes had opened, as well as more stitching and surgery for scar revision. The prognosis was that C would require more surgery in the future to try to correct the problems.
Unsurprisingly, she subsequently suffered from depression and was unable to go to work.
Compensation for Patient Scarred from Cosmetic Surgery
With Caroline Moore’s help, C brought a negligence claim against D, alleging that the surgeon had failed to advise her properly about the positioning and extent of the scarring, tighten the deeper layers of the skin, remove fat from underneath her chin, carry out correct stitching, and correct the results of the operation. He should also have referred C to a more experienced surgeon when the first attempt to revise the surgery did not work.
D admitted liability, and the case was settled for £70,500. Of this, £26,800 was allocated to C’s pain and suffering, while £43,700 was given for loss of earnings and medical treatment.
Have You Suffered Cosmetic Surgery Complications Due to Negligence?
If you were not informed of cosmetic surgery risks before a procedure and subsequently encountered complications, you may be entitled to compensation. Our friendly legal experts at Medical Solicitors can help you bring a claim under a Conditional Fee Agreement, where no win means no fee. Please contact us as soon as possible after learning that negligence may have caused scarring from cosmetic surgery.
