Can Malpractice Occur During Cosmetic Surgery?
Each year, over 17 million people undergo cosmetic procedures, including facelifts, tummy tucks, and lip augmentation procedures, among others. While the purpose of cosmetic surgery is to improve a person’s appearance, that does not mean the stakes are low. In fact, two million cosmetic surgery malpractice claims are filed annually. If you believe that your surgeon made an error during cosmetic surgery, our Greenville medical malpractice attorneys at Parham Smith & Archenhold LLC are available to provide you with legal guidance.
What is Cosmetic Surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is any procedure that is designed to enhance your appearance. Cosmetic surgery may be performed by a cosmetic surgeon or a plastic surgeon. It covers a range of procedures, from smoothing out wrinkles to lifting or reshaping an area of the body. Cosmetic surgery is quite common, with many people feeling that the benefits outweigh the risks. Unlike reconstructive procedures that are considered medically necessary to improve function or a normal appearance, cosmetic surgery is purely aesthetic. As such, it is not typically covered under most insurance plans.
Types of Cosmetic Surgical Procedures
Common cosmetic procedures include:
- Liposuction
- Face lift
- Breast enlargement or reduction
- Submentoplasty (procedure designed to remove fat and tighten skin under the chin)
- Lip augmentation
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
- Hair transplant
- Mastopexy (breast lift)
- Eyelid surgeries
- Rhinoplasty (changes the shape of the nose)
Known Risks or Complications of Cosmetic Surgery
Common complications of cosmetic surgery include:
- Anesthesia complications
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Bruising
- Infection
- Pain or discomfort
- Swelling
- Nerve damage
Malpractice That Can Occur During Cosmetic Surgery
If you experienced complications from a cosmetic surgery that was due to a physician’s oversight or carelessness, you likely have a valid malpractice claim. Common medical malpractice claims that may stem from a cosmetic surgery include:
- Inexperienced physicians or the medical team taking part in the procedure
- The surgeon failing to take a complete or accurate patient history
- The medical team failing to respond promptly to complications during surgery
- Operating beyond a patient’s consent (which could also result in a battery charge)
- Inadequate administration of anesthesia
In some cases, a patient may be unhappy with the outcome following a cosmetic procedure, but this does not necessarily point to negligence. Your satisfaction with a procedure depends on your expectations, and in some situations, a surgeon may be unable to achieve the outcome you desired. However, this is different than a surgeon that operates beyond the scope of your consent, even if the extra measures improve your appearance. Besides medical negligence, this act could result in criminal charges.
If your surgeon is found civilly liable, you will be able to recover the losses you incurred from the medical error. In many cosmetic surgery malpractice cases, this includes lost wages, subsequent medical bills, pain and suffering, infliction of emotional distress, and disfigurement. If you are unsure of whether your surgeon committed medical negligence, you should speak with our legal team.
Contact Our Greenville Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
If you have experienced medical negligence at the hands of a cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon, our team of legal professionals would like to speak with you. At Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC, we understand the aggravation that comes with medical negligence. If you are interested in learning what financial, physical, and emotional damages you may be able to recoup, our firm is ready to help. To arrange your confidential consultation with one of our Greenville medical malpractice attorneys, we can be reached online or by phone at (864) 432-1796.