Every year, thousands go under to knife to alter their appearance, mostly for reconstruction. Birth disorders, severe scarring, injuries, and illnesses can have a profound effect on the body. A plastic surgeon can repair, augment, or reconstruct the tissue.

Other plastic surgeons prefer helping those with cosmetic needs. For some, altering their aesthetics can boost confidence and feel empowering. However, plastic surgeries have certain risks. In some cases, the risks are life-threatening.

Whether plastic surgery is elective or necessary, it should always be performed safely and at a high standard of medical care. The surgeon should be highly skilled and competent. Making a mistake while performing plastic surgery can end up costing a patient money and harm their emotional well-being.

If you need a Philadelphia plastic surgery malpractice attorneyThe Weitz Firm, LLC will be by your side.  We will fight for your best interests and seek the compensation you deserve.

Schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys today by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

Why Do You Need Representation from Our Plastic Surgery Attorneys

Medical malpractice claims are notoriously challenging. In cases of plastic surgery malpractice, juries tend to be less sympathetic to a procedure that was not necessary to save a life. For a person to voluntarily go under the knife, some may believe they assumed all risk.

No medical professional has a right to willfully or carelessly put your life at risk. No plastic surgeon has a right to leave you permanently disfigured due to neglect. 

The success of your plastic surgery medical malpractice will come down to the skills of your attorney. Our plastic surgery attorneys know how to present your injuries, pain, and suffering in such a way that an otherwise healthy person can sympathize.

What Are the Risks of Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia?

The plastic surgery industry brings in over $10 billion a year in the US According to an article from Forbes, “many patients do not fully grasp the gravity or potential risks of these operations.”

Some of the most popular procedures performed include breast augmentation, liposuction, nose reshaping, tummy tucks, and buttock augmentation.

All surgeries have risks. For plastic surgery, the 10 most common risks include:

  1. Hematoma
  2. Nerve Damage
  3. Infections
  4. Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
  5. Scarring
  6. Appearance Dissatisfaction
  7. Organ Damage
  8. Anesthesia Complications
  9. Seroma
  10. Blood Loss

Any one of those mistakes has the ability to completely alter a patient’s life. Some of them can lead to permanent disability or even death.

How Prevalent are Plastic Surgery Complications?

Overall, there are more than 4,000 preventable mistakes that occur during surgery each year, a number that most experts say is vastly underreported. Those mistakes are costly. Consider that there were over 1.8 million plastic surgeries performed in 2017. Out of those, how many mistakes were made?

According to The Doctor’s Company:

  • 13% of plastic surgery patients experienced surgical complications
  • 49% of patients report their surgery was improperly performed
  • Improper procedures during recovery lead to severe scarring and nerve damage in 12% of patients
  • 4% of patients claim their doctor breached the confidentiality agreement
  • A foreign object was left in 6% of surgery patients

Many of these surgeries are performed in outpatient surgical centers, places that do not have the same ability to handle a medical emergency should one arise during the procedure. Also, most plastic surgeries are elective and performed by a surgeon looking to make a profit. That is fine, as long as the surgeon does not place quantity over quality, something that is tempting to do when there is money to be made.

It should not matter whether a procedure is elective or necessary for survival – healthcare professionals should always give a high standard of care. If they are negligent in their duties, they should be held accountable for their actions.

What Types of Plastic Surgery Procedures Are More Likely to Lead to Health Complications?

Any surgery can have unintentional complications. The nature of surgery is risky, and doctors are required to inform patients of all possible outcomes.

Some of the most common plastic surgeries that result in complications are:

  • Nose jobs or rhinoplasty
  • MACS Lift, or smaller facelifts
  • Tummy tuck
  • Liposuction
  • Breast augmentation, including breast lifts and breast implants
  • Major facelifts involving facial implants, lip implants, and brow lifts
  • Neck lifts
  • Eyelid surgery
  • Skin rejuvenation
  • Laser treatments and tattoo removal
  • Anesthesiologist errors

What Are Some Potential Warning Signs for Prospective Patients?

It may be surprising for patients to know some non-plastic surgeons take on cosmetic procedures, and the trend is rising. In fact, 48 states currently allow doctors to perform cosmetic surgery without being accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

If you intend to undergo plastic or cosmetic surgery, it is important that you choose a qualified and accredited medical professional. Other risk factors you should beware of include:

  • Using a nurse anesthetist instead of an anesthesiologist
  • Failing to take your full medical history
  • Performing lengthy procedures in a private office instead of a hospital where they could have access to emergency, life-saving equipment
  • Going beyond the scope of your informed consent

At The Weitz Firm, LLC, our medical malpractice lawyers are here for you.

What a Philadelphia Plastic Surgery Attorney Can Do for Your Case

We know how difficult a medical mistake can be on you. When you opted to get plastic surgery, you did not expect complications. Unfortunately, sometimes surgeons make mistakes because of carelessness or negligence. When that happens, you may not know your next steps.

The Weitz Firm, LLC will provide you with a skilled and medical malpractice lawyer in Philadelphia. We want to make sure you get compensation for the following:

  • Medical expenses related to the accident
  • Lost income if you miss work
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Punitive damages

You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

Click To Call