Thousands of people all over the UK make the decision to undergo plastic surgery. For many, it is a personal choice influenced by wanting to feel good about themselves. Others have other reasons. The patient is likely to be feeling nervous about the operation, and the surgeon performing the surgery needs to ensure that they receive the highest level of care. Prior to 2002 the plastic surgery industry was largely unregulated. However, this changed when the National Care Standards Commission introduced regulations. Under this scheme, the clinics and surgeons are under the responsibility to ‘ensure the safety and well-being of individuals having treatment’. This means that all the doctors registering after April 1st 2002 cannot perform plastic surgery without first completing specialist surgical training. It should however be noted that this only applies to doctors registering after this date, not before.
On most occasions the surgery is carried out by a qualified surgeon, however in a few rare instances this is not the case. If you feel you have been in this situation and would like help, we should be able to assist you.
Claiming for compensation
You will be feeling horrified by the botched surgery, and now will be looking to seek a claim. You can be rest assured as every plastic surgeon that operates on you owes you a duty of care during and after the operation. Under their wing, you should be able to feel secure in the knowledge that your operation will go well according to the correct and agreed procedure.
If your plastic surgeon caused you to suffer significant injuries or scars as a direct result from the surgery, then it is very possible that their duty of care towards you has been negligent.
You should note that a good plastic surgeon will always:
Be qualified
Take you through the procedure carefully outlining what the benefits are to you
Go though all the risks involved in the surgery
Discuss alternative options with you
Give you the opportunity to think about your options
Regrettably, you may be experiencing the after effects of a botched surgery that has scarred you both physically and mentally. In these circumstances you have every right to be able to make a plastic surgery compensation claim.
There are a number of things that can go wrong in plastic surgeries, however some of the more common complaints include the following:
Inadequate information being given to the patient regarding the risks involved in the procedure
Nerve being damaged during a facelift
Major scarring during a procedure such as liposuction
Unanticipated scarring on the face during a facelift procedure
The serious errors outlined above are just some of the types of claims that are made by patients. However, any patient who has suffered one of these claims will be able to make a successful plastic surgery compensation claim.
Our clinical negligence solicitors have a great deal of experience in dealing with patients that have been traumatised by the effects of surgery. It is understandable that not only will you be feeling physically self-concious, but your personal self-confidence would have also been affected. Our advisers will seek to understand your individual situation, and will always treat your case with great sympathy and compassion.
Ayesha Salim , editor of the UK Lawyers Network, writes articles about solicitors, Personal injury Lawyer, plastic surgery claim, find a solicitor, legal, lawyer, law help advice, solicitors litigation
