Cosmetic Surgery Errors Leading to Medical Malpractice

Before electing to have cosmetic surgery, you should be aware of the risks involved.

Every surgical procedure involves some amount of risk. When a person decides to undergo cosmetic surgery, he or she should be informed of all the risks associated with cosmetic surgery. Even though most surgeons and their teams are highly skilled and experienced, not all surgeries are successful. There are cases when errors during a cosmetic surgery has caused injury or in worst cases, even death.

Cosmetic Surgery Injuries

According to statistics available with St. Louis medical malpractice attorneys, over 11 million cosmetic surgeries and procedures are performed in the U.S. every year. Some common elective cosmetic procedures include liposuction, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, dermabrasion, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck, hair transplants, face lift, lip augmentation, and breast reduction. These procedures are aimed at enhancing the appearance of a particular body part. However, surgical errors can do just the opposite. They not only cause scarring and disfigurement, but may also lead to severe health complications. The risks associated with these procedures include:

• Infection
• Drop in blood pressure
• Allergic reaction from anesthesia
• Scarring
• Nerve damage
• Scarring
• Hematoma
• Necrosis
• Death

Liability of the Surgeon

Failure of a plastic surgeon to conform to the medical standard of care may amount to medical malpractice. A doctor who fails to provide the level of care and treatment that any other reasonable plastic surgeon would provide may be liable for medical malpractice. The law requires every surgeon to disclose the common known risks associated with the surgery and how likely it is that they may occur.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Complications during plastic surgery can have life changing implications for the patient. The patient may have to undergo numerous corrective surgeries and treatments. The victim may experience chronic pain, disfigurement, loss of income, and psychological problems. To file a lawsuit against the negligent surgeon, the victim will need to prove:

• That a patient-doctor relationship existed.
• The plastic surgeon failed to demonstrate the level of skill that a reasonable plastic surgeon would do in the same situation.
• The patient suffered injuries as a result of the doctor’s failure.
• Damages occurred as a result of a breach of duty.

St. Louis Medical Malpractice Laywers

Laws in every state limit the amount of time one has to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. It is known as the statute of limitations. In Missouri, the victim has 2 years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. It may be advisable to consult with an experienced St. Louis medical malpractice lawyer to receive compensation.

Call Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200 for a free consultation.