Personal injury solicitors are seeing an increase in the number of medical negligence claims from people who have suffered at the hands of plastic surgeons.
Recent data from the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has shown that personal injury compensation claims arising from cosmetic surgery are upheld in 45% of all cases. For medical negligence claims in general, the figure is 30%. The Union also said there had been a significant increase in the number of claims over the last five years.
One case involved a claimant who said the surgeon did not get fully informed consent or collect a full medical history before a facelift operation. The claimant went on to suffer a stroke after the procedure and eventually received more than half a million pounds in compensation.
Another case highlighted by the MDU involved a man who ended up with breathing problems after a nose reduction and a woman who received the wrong size breast implants.
The Royal College of General Practioners’ chair, Dr Clare Gerada, explained that while it may be easy to obtain cosmetic surgery, profit should never override high quality care.