Americans spend billions of dollars on cosmetic surgery every year. In some cases, it’s in an effort to correct birth defects or disfigurement caused by a fire, dog attack or car accident. Other times, the patient wants to improve some part of their body. They may choose to get a nose job, eyelid surgery, breast augmentation, or liposuction. No matter the reason for the surgery or the type of procedure, patients expect the plastic surgeon to be competent. They expect to be satisfied when the surgery is completed. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, surgeons make mistakes. Patients can end up with an avoidable injury during plastic surgery such as disfigurement, organ damage, infection or another complication.
A botched surgical procedure can have a significant effect on an individual’s mental health and quality of life. Some surgical errors can even be life-threatening. If this sounds like your reality, you may want to know your legal options.
It’s important that you reach out to a medical malpractice attorney in Albany, Georgia to find out if you can sue the surgeon or medical facility. If you can prove the surgeon was negligent, you may be able to recover damages. Let’s look at some of the most common injuries that can occur as a result of plastic surgery. After that, we’ll what you need to prove if you want to get compensation.
Common Types of Plastic Surgery Injuries
Every surgical procedure comes with risks even if the surgeon does everything right. However, a surgeon or hospital that’s careless or negligent puts patients in even more danger of injury during plastic surgery. Some of the injuries and conditions which can occur are:
- This is one of the most common complications after plastic surgery. Some infections are minor. However, others can be so severe that the patient needs intravenous antibiotics.
- Disfigurement or scarring. There is usually some type of scarring after surgery. However, hypertrophic and keloid scars can be troubling especially if they occur on highly visible areas of the body
- Nerve damage. Numbness and tingling after surgery can be signs of nerve damage. Usually, these sensations are temporary but, in some cases, they can be permanent. Experienced surgical malpractice lawyers will assess your case and determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit.
- Blood loss. You will naturally lose blood when you undergo surgery. However, if the blood loss is uncontrolled, your blood pressure may drop to dangerously low levels. Blood loss can occur both during surgery and via internal bleeding after the operation is completed.
- Deep vein thrombosis. This is a condition in which blood clots form in a deep vein. It usually occurs in the legs, but the clots can break off and end up in the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism. People who have multiple procedures are five times more likely to develop blood clots.
- Organ damage. Some types of surgery like liposuction can cause trauma to a patient’s internal organs. The surgical probe can cause punctures or perforations that require additional surgery. Some perforations can be fatal.
- Seroma. This occurs when sterile body fluids pool beneath the skin and cause swelling pain. It can happen after any surgery but it affects 15 to 30 percent of tummy tuck patients. Seromas can become infected if they’re not drained.
Pursuing A Claim For an Injury Sustained During Plastic Surgery
Surgical complications happen more often than patients would like. Not every problematic surgical outcome warrants a malpractice case, no matter how distressed the patient may be. That’s why you’ll need an attorney to ensure your situation meets the required standards. That is, you must be able to prove that:
- The doctor owed you a duty of care
- The doctor breached that duty
- The breach in duty resulted in injuries
Examples of surgical malpractice include:
- Failing to get a full medical history
- Failing to get informed consent
- Operating on the wrong body part
- Leaving instruments in the patient’s body
- Failing to administer the correct amount of anesthesia
If your surgeon acted carelessly or didn’t provide the necessary treatment when you developed complications, you can hold them responsible. The hospital or medical facility may also be liable depending on the circumstances You may be able to claim compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other tangible and intangible losses.
Get Help from the Attorneys at Joe Durham Jr. P.C.
If you believe you suffered an avoidable injury during plastic surgery, reach out to our Georgia medical malpractice law firm. You shouldn’t have to suffer anymore because of a surgeon’s negligence or recklessness. Call us today to schedule a consultation so we can provide you with an informed legal opinion. Your first case review is free.