Surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures are becoming increasingly popular for aesthetic, psychological, or medical reasons. Choosing to undergo cosmetic surgery is often a deeply personal decision, and the impact of a botched procedure can leave you feeling vulnerable and unsure of your next steps. Cosmetic surgery claims may be brought when patients receive care that falls below required professional standards, resulting in otherwise avoidable harm.
At Accident Claims, we appreciate that negligent cosmetic surgery can have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences. As you navigate the aftermath of your procedure, you deserve legal representation that takes the time to fully understand your situation and unique needs. Thankfully, our solicitors have the expertise to provide that support, from gathering medical evidence to handling all the necessary legal paperwork.
If you would like to confidentially discuss your experience of cosmetic surgery negligence, our advisors are on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help. Get guidance and advice on medical negligence claims from our team by:
- Calling 0800 073 8801.
- Using our online support service.
- Or click to start your claim.
4.8 (948 reviews)Jump To A Section
- How To Claim For Negligence In Cosmetic Surgery
- Examples Of Cosmetic Surgery Claims
- What Are Some Potential Complications Of Cosmetic Surgery?
- What Cosmetic Surgery Can I Claim Compensation For?
- How Much Cosmetic Surgery Compensation Could I Claim?
- What Will I Need To Prove Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Occurred?
- How Long Will I Have To Claim For Cosmetic Surgery Compensation?
- Claiming For Cosmetic Surgery Negligence With Accident Claims
- More Information
How To Claim For Negligence In Cosmetic Surgery
To claim compensation for negligent cosmetic surgery, you must show that you were harmed by substandard medical treatment. Cosmetic surgery claims typically rest on three key criteria:
1. A Cosmetic Surgeon, Practitioner, Or Healthcare Provider Owed You A Duty Of Care
All medical professionals involved in surgical and non-surgical treatments owe a duty of care to their patients. They are legally responsible for providing treatment which meets acceptable, minimum medical standards. They should also comply with standards set by professional bodies, such as the British Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or the Royal College of Surgeons.
2. They Failed To Meet These Standards
Next, you need to show that the medical professional or healthcare provider was in breach of their duty, such as by providing negligent treatment. Failures could involve the use of poor surgical technique, inadequate pre-surgical assessments or post-surgical care, or other avoidable errors.
3. You Suffered Harm
Crucially, the final step is to clearly show you suffered avoidable and unnecessary harm as a direct result of the breach identified above. This harm must be medically recognised, and either be new or worsen your condition. Examples of harm may include nerve damage, permanent scarring, or hospital-acquired infections.
Can I Claim For Cosmetic Surgery Done Abroad?
You may be able to claim for a negligent cosmetic surgery procedure carried out abroad, though this can be a more complex process. Any claims for negligent cosmetic surgery carried out abroad may be brought against the clinic in that country. This means that such claims will be brought under that country’s legal system.
A solicitor from our panel could help you make a cosmetic surgery compensation claim against a provider in the UK or abroad. Get in touch to find out how we could support people through cosmetic surgery claims.
Examples Of Cosmetic Surgery Claims
Examples of cosmetic surgery claims include those involving surgical errors, poor aftercare, and hospital-acquired infections resulting from inadequate hygiene standards. Cosmetic surgery claims could be brought in various circumstances where a patient is avoidably harmed due to:
- Poor pre-surgical assessments: medical professionals may fail to review a patient’s medical records and history, assess suitability for the procedure, or conduct an adequate pre-surgical evaluation.
- A lack of informed consent: surgeons and other doctors should ensure they obtain informed consent from patients. They must ensure the patient is fully informed of any potential risks and side effects associated with the procedure.
- Anaesthetic negligence: where the wrong type or dose of anaesthetic, or an improper administrative technique is used, resulting in lasting nerve damage.
- Poor technique and surgical errors: this can include avoidable mistakes made before, during and after surgery is carried out. This may include a surgeon using the incorrect surgical tools, resulting in significant, excessive scarring.
- Defective or faulty surgical equipment: a medical professional uses surgical equipment or implants which are faulty. Defective implants may rupture, causing internal damage or infections, whilst faulty equipment might result in unnecessary scarring.
- Retained foreign objects: incidents in which a surgical team leaves a foreign object, such as a swab, inside a patient. This could result in internal bleeding and serious infections. Severe cases may progress to sepsis.
- Poor post-surgical treatment: this could include immediate inpatient care after a surgical procedure or inadequate follow-up care. Wounds may not be properly observed and cared for, developing unnecessary scarring or avoidable infections.
These avoidable errors could cause varying degrees of harm, ranging from internal organ damage to infections, sepsis, and scarring. If you have been harmed by avoidable cosmetic surgery errors, our team could help you.
What Are Some Potential Complications Of Cosmetic Surgery?
Potential complications of cosmetic surgery range from minor swelling and excessive scarring to severe infections and damage to nerves or organs. While any surgical procedure carries inherent risks, such as scars and blood clots, negligent surgery can lead to various complications, including:
- Fat embolism may be a risk in Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedures. This procedure has the highest death rate of any cosmetic procedure.
- Avoidable nerve damage, which may include the temporary or permanent loss of sensation, numbness, and tingling.
- Necrosis, where tissue death occurs due to the loss of blood supply
- Implant issues, including displacement, rupture, or capsular contracture.
- Infections, such as MRSA.
- Organ perforation, such as the spleen, liver, or bowels (during liposuction).
- Allergic reactions to medications or implants, often from a failure to screen patients,
If you believe your complication resulted from negligent cosmetic surgery, our advisors are here to listen and provide you with the answers you deserve. You could be one step closer to filing a cosmetic surgery claim. Please contact us for help with your case.
What Cosmetic Surgery Can I Claim Compensation For?
The cosmetic surgery you can claim compensation for includes surgical and non-surgical procedures like breast surgery, implant removal, and lifts.
According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in 2023/24 were:
- Breast implants/breast augmentation.
- Breast reduction.
- Blepharoplasty
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery)
- Liposuction.
- Rhinoplasty.
- Face lifts.
- Fat transfer.
- Breast implant removal.
- Otoplasty
- Labiaplasty.
- Brachioplasty.
- Thigh lift.
- Lower body lifts.
Whether you were harmed by a surgical or non-surgical procedure, you could make a cosmetic surgery negligence claim. Please contact one of our advisors to learn more about how we could help and support you.
How Much Cosmetic Surgery Compensation Could I Claim?
How much compensation for cosmetic surgery negligence you could claim is dependent on the extent of your unnecessary suffering, its impact on your mental wellbeing, and whether you also experienced any financial losses.
Compensation for your pain and suffering, covered under a head of claim called general damages, may be calculated in line with the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a resource often used by legal professionals, as it lists guideline compensation brackets for various forms of harm.
Our table takes figures from the JCG, including those for facial scarring and organ damage. Before you check this table, please keep in mind that the highest figure is not from the JCG. As medical negligence payouts reflect each claim’s unique circumstances, these entries should be viewed as guidance only.
| Harm and severity | Damages | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple forms of very severe harm with special damages | Up to £1,000,000+ | Costs may be for private corrective surgery, therapy, and lost income. |
| Paralysis - tetraplegia | £396,140 to £493,000 | Residual movement, life expectancy, and respiratory issues are all considered when awarding compensation. |
| Brain damage - very severe | £344,150 to £493,000 | Extent of any insight, communication abilities, and sensory impairment can affect level of payout. |
| Bowel/bladder - double incontinence | Up to £244,790 | Where the patient loses all natural bowel and bladder function. |
| Facial disfigurement - very severe scarring | £36,340 to £118,790 | Typically affecting a patient in their 30s or younger, with very severe cosmetic disfigurement and a severe psychological reaction. |
| Facial disfigurement - significant scarring | £11,120 to £36,720 | Plastic surgery will or has been used to reduce the worst effects, leaving some degree of cosmetic disability. |
| Facial disfigurement - less significant scarring | £4,820 to £16,770 | A single scar or multiple smaller ones, where the overall impact mars without markedly affecting appearance. |
| Kidney - 1 kidney lost | £37,550 to £54,760 | The remaining kidney will be undamaged. |
| Bodily scarring - 1 disfiguring scar, or a number of noticeable laceration scars | £9,560 to £27,740 | Affecting hands, arms, legs, chest, or back. |
| Bodily scarring - several superficial or single noticeable scar | £2,890 to £9,560 | There will be some degree of minor cosmetic deficit. |
Compensation For Financial Losses In Cosmetic Surgery Claims
Compensation for financial losses in cosmetic surgery claims can cover various expenses stemming from the unnecessary harm suffered by claimants, including medical bills and losses in income. You must provide evidence, such as bank statements and invoices, for any financial loss to be taken into consideration. If you are able to supply supportive documentation, you could recover the cost of:
- Any reduction in future earnings, as well as lost bonuses and pension contributions.
- Private revision surgery or procedures to address excessive scarring.
- Prescriptions to address infections, manage mental health problems, or provide pain relief.
- Domestic help from professional carers and family members.
- Psychological services, including therapy, needed for the emotional impact of the negligent cosmetic surgery.
- Travel associated with attending medical appointments.
Please get in touch with our team for a free, confidential consultation to discuss which costs your claim for negligent cosmetic surgery may cover.
4.8 (948 reviews)What Will I Need To Prove Cosmetic Surgery Negligence Occurred?
You will need your medical records, relevant correspondence, and dated before-and-after photographs to prove that cosmetic surgery negligence occurred. Medical records, in particular, can detail your consultations, the cosmetic procedure itself, and what aftercare you received post-surgery.
You can learn more about how to prove medical negligence in cosmetic surgery claims in our dedicated guide. Please speak to an expert about your case.
How Long Will I Have To Claim For Cosmetic Surgery Compensation?
You will typically have 3 years from the date of the negligent procedure to claim for cosmetic surgery compensation, as governed by the Limitation Act 1980. Additionally, this legislation allows the time limit to take effect from the date of knowledge (the point at which you became aware of the negligence).
There are cases where the time limit may be paused altogether, and you can learn about this by reading our dedicated guide to the limitation period. Our advisors are also available if you’d like a more tailored discussion of which time limit may apply if you make a cosmetic surgery negligence claim.
Claiming For Cosmetic Surgery Negligence With Accident Claims
Claiming for cosmetic surgery negligence with Accident Claims gives you access to a comprehensive range of legal services, all on a No Win No Fee basis. In addition to providing practical support, our solicitors take the time to understand the nuances of every case, grounded in a firm commitment to treating every claim as unique.
Why Choose Our Solicitors To Claim For Cosmetic Surgery Negligence
Choosing one of our expert solicitors for your cosmetic surgery negligence claim ensures that your case is handled by someone with the experience and knowledge necessary to support you from start to finish.
Following a free initial consultation with one of our advisors, a solicitor can guide you through the medical negligence claims process. They can:
- Strengthen your claim by arranging an independent medical assessment and gathering evidence on your behalf.
- Help you access specialist medical services, such as corrective treatment.
- Connect you with psychological and rehabilitative services to support your recovery following the negligent cosmetic surgery.
- Explain the clinical negligence claims process in clear, easy-to-understand language.
- Provide regular updates to keep you firmly in control of the claims process.
No Win No Fee Cosmetic Surgery Claims
Our No Win No Fee solicitors handle cosmetic surgery claims on the basis of a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). It allows our solicitors to provide their expert legal representation without ever charging service fees for their work at the following stages of the claims process:
- In advance of making a claim.
- During the process of claiming.
- If you do not secure cosmetic surgery negligence compensation.
If you do win your claim for harm caused by negligent cosmetic surgery, a fixed percentage of your compensation will be deducted by the solicitor. The law limits the percentage which may be deducted for this success fee.
Contact Our Solicitors To Make A Claim
Contact Accident Claims UK to learn more about making cosmetic surgery claims. Our advisors are here 24/7 and provide a supportive, confidential space for you to ask any questions you might have about the process:
- Phone 0800 073 8801.
- Click and start a claim online.
- Chat with us about your case.
More Information
Find more information about cosmetic surgery negligence and your rights as a patient here:
- View our guide to claiming for negligent rhinoplasty.
- Learn more about tummy tuck negligence claims.
- Read about the surgical fat transfer claims process.
Further resources:
- An NHS overview of cosmetic procedures.
- British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) guidance about reconstructive surgery.
- Read about the guidance and regulation of healthcare services in this Care Quality Commission (CQC) resource.
Please contact one of our advisors for further information on cosmetic surgery claims and find out how we can help you today.
