Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery

Each year Americans undergo 15.6 million cosmetic procedures, including surgery and minimally invasive treatments, according to American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Cosmetic surgery is a growth industry with demand increasing as new procedures are offered.

With the proliferation of new procedures and inadequately trained doctors seeking to capitalize on the growing demand, cosmetic surgery errors happen. When errors occur, patients are left with serious medical damage that may never be able to be fully reversed.

Just like with any other type of surgery, there are opportunities for medical malpractice at every stage of a cosmetic procedure. Some of the more common issues that arise from various types of surgery include the following:

• Breast reduction and augmentation: Infection, scarring, blood loss, nerve damage, encapsulation, and asymmetry.
• Facelift: Trouble closing eyes, dry eyes, nerve damage and scarring.
• Liposuction: Nerve damage and numbness, internal bleeding, damage to organs and disfigurement.
• Rhinoplasty: Asymmetry and difficulty breathing.
• Botox: Paralyzed muscles, scars and speech difficulties.
• Dermal filler: Necrosis, blindness, and facial palsy.

In addition to risks associated with particular procedures, any time that a person is put under anesthesia there is a significant risk of injury, including cardiac arrest and brain injuries. Furthermore, with any surgery or procedure, there is always a risk of infection caused by negligence.

Injuries from negligently performed cosmetic procedures can be serious and may be permanent, even for minor treatments such as Botox, often entitled victims to significant compensation.

Not all plastic surgeries with poor results are the fault of a doctor. This is likely one of the arguments your doctor’s attorneys will make. In order to prove negligence, victims must prove that the doctor acted below the applicable standard of care. Generally speaking, this involves consulting with experts in the field who can point to specific acts or omissions on the part of your doctor that resulted in your injuries.

Once proven that the doctor performed a procedure negligently, you may be eligible for damages. These damages include:

• Past and future medical bills
• Past and future loss of earnings
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement

If your cosmetic surgery is elective, some judges and juries may believe that you should receive less in damages. We will work hard to convince them otherwise by fully explaining your injuries and how they affect your life.

If you believe that a medical professional negligently performed your plastic surgery or procedure, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can.

The attorneys of Kilo Flynn have worked on cosmetic surgery malpractice cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Our clients reside in the Missouri counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin and Crawford, and the Illinois counties of Madison, St. Clair and Monroe. To schedule a free case evaluation with a St. Louis cosmetic surgery lawyer, call Kilo Flynn today at 314-647-8910.