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Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Claims Specialists
Find out the eligibility for cosmetic surgery negligence claims and how one of our solicitors could help you to seek compensation.
Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Claims Specialists
Find out the eligibility for cosmetic surgery negligence claims and how one of our solicitors could help you to seek compensation.
Can I Make A Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Claim?
A cosmetic procedure gone wrong can have devastating consequences on our physical health, long-term well-being, and overall self-esteem. There are certain steps that medical professionals should take to prevent you from suffering harm unnecessarily. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, and patients can suffer avoidable harm as a result. If this has happened to you, we’re here to help you get started with the cosmetic surgery negligence claims process.
Key Takeaways
- From 2014 to 2025, the arm’s length body, NHS Resolution, recorded 1,455 plastic surgery negligence claims
- The NHS and private healthcare providers owe the same responsibility to provide the correct standard of care
- Common types of cosmetic surgery include breast enlargement/reduction, tummy tucks, liposuction, and facelifts
- Negligent cosmetic surgery might involve poor hygiene standards or procedures being performed on the wrong part of the body
- This might lead to infections, psychological harm, excessive scarring, and nerve damage
Contact our team of friendly advisors to find out if you can start a plastic surgery negligence claim or seek general advice. You may not have navigated the medical negligence claims process before, so they are happy to discuss any aspects of the process that you are uncertain of. They could also connect you to one of our solicitors, who can provide expert No Win No Fee legal support.
- Call 0151 375 9916
- Complete our online submission form
Can I Make A Claim For Negligent Cosmetic Surgery?
You could be eligible to make a cosmetic surgery negligence claim if you suffered unnecessarily because a medical professional failed to treat you with a minimum standard of care. As with all medically trained professionals, cosmetic surgeons have a responsibility to deliver the correct standard of care to patients. This obligation, referred to as a duty of care, applies to clinics, hospitals, and other facilities as well.
The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) establishes these standards and guidelines for plastic surgeons. For example, it states that plastic surgeons have a duty of candour, meaning that they must be open and honest about the risks associated with their treatment.
What If My Cosmetic Surgery Was Done On The NHS?
If your cosmetic surgery was done on the NHS, you may still make a claim provided that it resulted in you being avoidably harmed. The duty of care owed to patients by medical professionals applies, whether they receive treatment from the NHS or a private healthcare facility.
The process is slightly different when claiming against the NHS. Specifically, claims are managed by NHS Resolution on behalf of trusts. Sometimes, people can feel hesitant to claim against the NHS. However, NHS Resolution has its own funding for paying out compensation in successful claims. That ensures awards have no direct impact on the healthcare budget.
Speak to our expert team of advisors to learn more about cosmetic surgery negligence claims. They will explain whether you are eligible and what the next steps are.
Common Examples Of Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Claims
Some of the most common examples of cosmetic surgery negligence include wrong-site procedures, improper techniques, and poor hygiene standards. The following scenarios show how negligent cosmetic surgery might happen and lead to a potentially valid claim:
- During a breast reduction surgery, the surgeon leaves a foreign object inside your body. This ‘never event‘ causes an infection that leads to sepsis. You have to undergo further surgery in order to remove the object, whilst the sepsis leaves you with permanent organ damage.
- While you undergo a facelift, the surgeon uses several improper techniques. This damages your blood vessels, which in turn causes nerve damage and weakens one side of your face. You are left with a permanent effect on your ability to eat and speak.
- After a surgical fat transfer procedure, hospital staff doesn’t monitor you adequately. This means they fail to notice that you haven’t been regularly moved around or even cleaned for some time. As a result, you develop pressure sores around your hips.
Why not contact our enquiries team today to discuss your own experience and see if they can help you get started with the cosmetic surgery negligence claims process?
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What Negligent Cosmetic Surgery Compensation Could I Get?
For your particular claim, the negligent cosmetic surgery compensation you could get will depend on the nature of the avoidable harm you suffered and its financial impact on you. In all successful compensation claims involving cosmetic surgery, general damages will be awarded. This part of the compensation is based on the suffering and pain caused by the harm. So, for example, if you experience a long-lasting or permanent impact, this can be taken into account.
When valuing general damages, legal professionals may read the Judicial College Guidance (JCG). This is a document that details suggested compensation brackets for varied types and severities of harm.
We have highlighted some JCG brackets below. However, you must not consider them to be a guarantee that you will receive a medical negligence payout. Each medical negligence claim is individually assessed to reflect the unique circumstances of the case. This means that a guideline cannot account for the nuances of your specific situation.
Additionally, the top row was not provided by the JCG.
| Severity and Type of Harm | Compensation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple forms of harm and the associated financial losses | Up to £1,000,000+ | Expenses might include private medical treatments, lost income, and professional care costs |
| Brain damage – very severe | £344,150 to £493,000 | Various factors will be considered, including the extent of their physical limitations, life expectancy, sensory impairment, and their degree of insight |
| Bowels – total loss of natural bowel functioning | Up to £183,190 | The person will depend on a colostomy and compensation will be impacted by their age |
| Chest – traumatic harm to the chest, heart and/or lungs | £80,240 to £122,850 | There will be permanent, reduced life expectancy, impaired function, and physical disability |
| Facial disfigurement – very severe scarring | £36,340 to £118,790 | This applies to relatively young claimants with disfiguring cosmetic effects and a severe psychological reaction |
| Facial disfigurement – less severe scarring | £21,920 to £59,090 | Disfigurement is substantial with a psychological reaction that is considered significant |
| Facial disfigurement – significant scarring | £11,120 to £36,720 | The worst of the impact will be diminished by plastic surgery, though some cosmetic disability will persist. The psychological reaction is not great, or has diminished. |
| Facial disfigurement – less significant scarring | £4,820 to £16,770 | A single scar or several very small ones, with overall effect marring without markedly impacting appearance |
| Bodily scarring – several noticeable laceration scars or 1 disfiguring scar | £9,560 to £27,740 | The scarring affects the arm(s), legs(s), chest, or back |
What Other Damages Can Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Claims Cover?
Cosmetic surgery negligence claims can also cover special damages if your unnecessary pain and suffering had a financial impact. In order to add these to your claim, you must be able to provide evidence of the costs, such as bank statements or receipts. Provided that you do, special damages can include:
- Private medical treatment, such as corrective plastic surgery, occupational therapy, and prescriptions
- Travel expenses made to attend medical appointments
- Care costs for loved ones and professionals to assist with daily tasks
- A loss of income as well as future earnings
- Adjustments to the home, ranging from handrails to stairlifts
If you would like a more tailored discussion on how compensation is calculated, you are welcome to speak with an advisor. They can give you a free case assessment, outlining what factors would likely be considered in your specific case.
How Can I Prove Liability After Negligent Cosmetic Surgery?
To prove liability after negligent cosmetic surgery, you will need evidence connecting the substandard care you received to the avoidable harm you suffered. This might include:
- A copy of your medical records
- A diary of symptoms and how you have been affected
- Before-and-after pictures documenting the physical effects of the negligent cosmetic surgery
- Contact details of loved ones, staff, and anyone else who could give your solicitor an eyewitness statement
- Correspondence from the facility where you had cosmetic surgery- sometimes a healthcare provider will write to explain how your treatment was negligent
You can contact an advisor today to learn more about proving cosmetic surgery negligence claims. They are also more than happy to discuss how our solicitors help clients gather the evidence necessary to strengthen their claims.
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We pride ourselves on providing the best service possible for our clients.
What Is The Time Limit For Claiming Cosmetic Surgery Compensation?
The time limit for claiming cosmetic surgery compensation is usually 3 years from the date of the medical negligence. This is due to the Limitation Act 1980, but the legislation does recognise that some claimants may not be immediately aware of the negligent treatment at the time of their surgery. Therefore, the limitation period can start from the date on which the person learns that they suffered from medical negligence.
Additionally, the 1980 act freezes the time limit if the affected person cannot claim because they are below the age of 18 or are mentally incapacitated. Both groups may still be able to pursue compensation during the time limit freeze if an adult claims on their behalf as a litigation friend. Otherwise, the 3 years for starting a claim will take effect if and when someone either regains their mental capacity or turns 18.
If you’re not sure how the time limit applies to your specific medical negligence claim, please don’t hesitate to have a chat with one of our advisors.
How Can JF Law Help A Negligent Cosmetic Surgery Claim?
JF Law can help with a negligent cosmetic surgery claim by providing a complete, personalised service available on advantageous No Win No Fee terms. In our experience, we have seen that substandard surgery can have devastating effects for anyone who endures it, regardless of their financial status. That is why our solicitors offer their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), so you never have to pay a service fee for their work:
- Before the medical negligence claim begins
- During the processing of the claim
- If the compensation claim fails
Should you be compensated for cosmetic surgery negligence, you will pay a success fee to your legal representative. This is a percentage of the compensation, but there is a legal limit to ensure you keep the largest share.
You may be wondering how exactly our solicitors support clients through the claims process. Well, with their decades of combined experience and legal training, they take a personalised approach to every claim, always prioritising their clients’ needs. That means you can expect:
- Active support with gathering and reviewing the evidence needed to strengthen your case
- Corresponding with the defending party on your behalf in a professional manner so you can stay focused on your recovery
- Providing you with regular case updates and explaining the next steps
- Taking an expert approach to negotiating a settlement that fairly reflects the impact on you
Contact Our Solicitors
If you wish to know more about cosmetic surgery negligence claims, enquire with our team of advisors. Should you want to work with one of our solicitors, they can assess your case and help you begin the journey to get the compensation you deserve.
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
- Complete our online submission form
Learn More
Read our other medical negligence claims:
- Find out about pregnancy negligence claims
- Learn about missed fracture claims
- Visit our guide on blood clot compensation
External resources:
- Read about the cosmetic surgery offered by the NHS
- Find out how to complain about a service or provider
- Visit the British Association of Aesthetic Surgeons (BAAPS) webpage
Thank you for reading our guide on cosmetic surgery negligence claims.
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