Can I File a Malpractice Lawsuit for Botched Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery can help you turn back the clock and improve your self-confidence. Sometimes, however, a bad surgical experience could lead to lasting scars and years of regret. That’s where our medical malpractice attorneys can help.
The team at our Brooklyn, NY, law office would like to go over lawsuits for plastic surgery mistakes. This will give you an idea of your legal options if a cosmetic surgeon fails to provide safe and proper treatment.
Plastic Surgeons Can Be Held Liable for Negligence
Yes, plastic surgeons can be sued for negligence. In such cases, an attorney would need to demonstrate that the cosmetic surgeon breached their duty of care resulting in harm to the patient. A duty of care simply means a comparable standard that another professional would have provided in a similar situation.
Examples of Cosmetic Surgeon Errors
Some examples of plastic surgery mistakes include:
- Anesthesia Errors - Errors by an anesthesiologist could result in life-threatening health issues during surgery.
- Medical Emergencies During Surgery - A fat embolism, a cut artery, or other serious error in judgment could put a patient’s life at risk.
- Poor Surgical Results - If the results of your procedure are poor or look unnatural, you may have legal recourse.
- Surgical Item Left in Body - Sometimes sponges, scalpels, gloves, and other medical equipment are left inside a patient’s body.
- Wrong Body Part Operated On - A plastic surgeon could operate on the wrong breast or part of your body because of miscommunication.
- Post-Op Infection - Poor hygiene and sterilization or negligent aftercare and supervision could lead to patient infection.
- Severe Scarring - Most surgeons do their best to keep scars hidden. Poor surgery can lead to a lot of visible scarring.
- Other Physical Disfigurement - Damage to muscle, skin, and other tissues around the surgical site could leave a patient looking disfigured.
Damages Sought in Plastic Surgery Mistake Cases
Legal damages sought in a cosmetic surgery lawsuit can cover a number of financial losses linked to surgical the errors. This includes:
- The Cost of Necessary Medical Care - If you needed urgent or emergency care because of surgical errors.
- The Cost of Corrective Surgery - Any corrective or reconstructive surgery required to fix the initial procedure.
- Lasting Damage from the Procedure - Some botched surgeries can lead to nerve damage or lasting disfigurement, even after corrective surgery.
- Lost Earnings Due to Surgery Errors - Recovering from multiple surgeries can take you away from work and may even diminish your earning potential later in life.
- Emotional Pain and Suffering - Serious surgical errors can be emotionally traumatizing and may require counseling and therapy.
How Our Lawyers Can Help
The team at our Brooklyn personal injury law firm will listen to you and review what happened. If we determine that you have a case, we will gather evidence that will help you seek restitution. We can negotiate a good settlement with the insurance company or take your case all the way to civil court for legal damages.
Discuss What Happened With Our Lawyers
Do you need to speak with an attorney? To set up a consultation, contact our law office in Brooklyn. The lawyers of Zucker & Regev will be ready to help you.