There has been substantial continued growth in cosmetic procedures over the last year, and a shift in the types of procedures patients have chosen since the start of the new year. Since 2000, overall procedures have risen 115 percent, and the surgeries are always changing. Following the rise of cosmetic surgery, the number of medical malpractice cases that attorneys have seen is also increasing.
During these surgical interventions, a simple error may cause substantial injury. If victims want to file for medical negligence, they have to prove that a medical professional made a mistake during surgery. Plastic surgeons are bound by the same medical malpractice laws regarding cosmetic surgery as the ones that perform any other type of procedure.
Most types of cosmetic surgery medical malpractice involve surgical errors that can result in a botched result, post-operative infections, negligent injection of drugs used for cosmetic purposes like botox, and complications from anesthesia. A cosmetic doctor’s lack of knowledge or accreditation is another concern that may result in negligence. A number of American citizens travel to other countries seeking cheaper and quicker cosmetic surgeries from unqualified cosmetic surgeons. It is highly important to make sure the cosmetic surgeon has been certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Even with the certification, it is not guaranteed that the end result of the surgery is good. The biggest problem in winning cosmetic surgery malpractice cases arises because the surgery is elective meaning unnecessary. Juries sometimes think that because the patient might have wanted to the surgery to enhance their image that the patient should not be so quick to blame the surgeon if the surgery went wrong. Juries often times give the cosmetic surgeon the benefit of the doubt. If patients do win the case, the verdict often does not award the victim with enough to cover the damages.
Cosmetic surgery lawsuits are challenging situations in the legal system where courts may not be as responsive to a victim’s suffering as they could be. If you or a loved one has encountered negligence during a cosmetic procedure, our firm is here to help. Medical Malpractice cases require a complete understanding of the medical profession and the appropriate standards of care for doctors, nurses, and hospitals. The law offices of Baggett McCall will stop at nothing to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve.