Were you Injured During Plastic Surgery?

While plastic surgery used to carry stigma, these kinds of elective procedures are now incredibly common in the United States. With the decreased stigma and increased utilization, however, has come an increase in medical malpractice cases resulting from the negligence of plastic surgeons and their staff. If you have recently undergone plastic surgery and were injured because of, or suffered complications from, the surgery, you may have a valid medical malpractice claim.

Why Do Plastic Surgery Injuries Happen?

It is important to note that while cosmetic surgical procedures are incredibly common, they still carry a great deal of risk. Injury-causing surgeries are often performed by physicians who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, or by those who otherwise do not have proper training or education. Cosmetic surgery injuries are also caused by the negligence of surgeons and other medical staff.

If you have not fully researched the type of surgery you are receiving, as well as the surgeon performing your procedure, you may not realize the risks involved. You should always have your cosmetic surgery performed by a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and if you do not you are putting yourself at risk of serious injury. Even if your physician tells you they are certified, it is always a best practice to confirm this with the American Board of Plastic Surgery and to read other patients’ review of the physician, staff, and facility if available.  Remember, too, that even if your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, medical malpractice can still happen if the surgery is not performed properly, or if there are errors in your post-operative care.

What Injuries Can Result from Plastic Surgery?

Depending on the type of surgery you receive, there are a very large number of injuries which can result from plastic surgery. However, some of the more common injuries include:

• Disfigurement
• Deformities
• Scarring
• Excessive bleeding
• Brain damage
• Blood clots
• Skin death

These kinds of injuries often extend beyond your physical appearance, as they can cause you embarrassment, pain, or debilitate you in other ways that impact your ability to work and enjoy life. Very often, injuries resulting from cosmetic surgical procedures require expensive procedures and rehabilitation to correct. The costs associated with a botched cosmetic surgical procedure can quickly add up.

Who Can be Held Responsible for Cosmetic Surgery Medical Malpractice?

While every case is different, generally the surgeon, other medical staff, and the medical facility may be held liable. Determining who can be held responsible is often complicated, as many hospitals, doctors, and insurance providers will not be forthcoming about what happened during your procedure. It is important that you have an experienced personal injury attorney by your side to help you gather evidence of how you were injured and who was involved. At Scaffidi & Associates, we aggressively work to secure this information, because we believe you have the right to know and that these individuals should be held accountable for their actions.

Injured by a Cosmetic Surgery?

If you or a loved one were injured as the result of medical malpractice, you do not need to suffer in silence. There is no shame associated with plastic surgery, but there can be a great deal of unnecessary pain and suffering if your procedure goes awry for any reason. The experienced New York personal injury attorneys at Scaffidi & Associates are ready to help. Contact us today.

Posted in: Medical Malpractice