Can I Sue for Cosmetic Surgery Injuries?

As cosmetic surgery and rejuvenation procedures become more common and affordable, many people are turning to enhancements and other procedures as a way to feel better about themselves.
Although plastic surgery has become quite safe, it is not without risks. In some cases, patients are injured during a cosmetic procedure. Individuals have suffered disfigurement, chemicals burns, infection, chronic pain, and other types of injuries. Other risks include blood clots, pneumonia, and nerve damage. In the most devastating cases, a patient dies during a cosmetic procedure.

What Is Cosmetic Surgery?

New technology has revolutionized the field of cosmetic surgery and rejuvenation procedures. Many people associate cosmetic surgery with traditional types of plastic surgery, such as rhinoplasty (nose jobs), facelifts, and breast augmentation, but cosmetic surgery has branched into dozens of procedures.
Many procedures are advertised as being “non-invasive,” meaning the patient does not require sedation during the procedure, or the surgeon does not have to use a standard incision made with a surgical knife. Numerous cosmetic procedures involve powerful lasers. In the hands of an unskilled health care worker, these lasers can cause serious injuries. Patients have also been injured by prescription injectables, such as Botox and Myobloc.

Can I Receive Compensation for a Cosmetic Surgery Injury?



If you have been injured due to a cosmetic surgery or procedure, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Some people mistakenly believe they cannot sue for injuries related to a cosmetic procedure because cosmetic surgery is almost always voluntary. This is incorrect. As with any medical treatment, physicians who perform cosmetic surgeries and procedures are held to the same duty of care as other physicians in the same field and area. If they fail to meet this duty of care, they are responsible for any injuries or deaths that result.