Choosing the Right Cosmetic Surgeon
September 4, 2019
Cosmetic surgery refers to elective procedures undertaken to change someone’s physical appearance, such as a rhinoplasty or breast augmentation. There are risks associated with cosmetic surgery, and surgical errors can have a serious impact on the patient’s appearance and their overall health. Choosing the right practitioner can go a long way toward preventing errors; a recent study revealed that few people know how to go about choosing a thoroughly qualified surgeon.
Cosmetic surgery is similar to plastic surgery in that they both involve reconstructing areas of the body. Plastic surgery is often intended to correct defects that impair function or cause pain, and plastic surgeons undergo much more thorough training than cosmetic surgeons. Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery requires surgeons complete six or more years of residency training, while certification by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery requires only one year of residency. A recent survey by The Harris Poll revealed that 84 percent of women did not know the difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon.
Risks of Cosmetic Surgery
Though it may not be correcting a medical problem, a cosmetic surgical procedure often carries many of the same risks. Patients may suffer due to surgical errors, drugs that are incorrectly administered, anesthesia complications, or other procedural errors that can cause significant damage. Injuries from cosmetic surgery can include scarring, blood clots, nerve damage, tissue death caused by lack of oxygen, drop in blood pressure, infection, allergic reaction, or even death.
If a patient has been injured during a cosmetic procedure, they can pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit as they would for any other type of procedure. The lawsuit must establish that the surgeon was treating the patient, that they failed to uphold a reasonable standard of care that any other practitioner would have done in that situation, and that the patient suffered harm as a direct result of the surgeon’s negligence. The patient can recover damages that include lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering.
Bias in Cosmetic Surgery Cases
Unlike other types of medical malpractice cases, however, patients may have to contend with significant jury bias. Judges and juries often give cosmetic surgeons the benefit of the doubt because the procedure was not necessary for the patient’s health, but rather the desire to improve one’s appearance. If a patient is simply not happy with the results of their procedure, this is not considered grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. It takes an experienced medical malpractice lawyer to cut through these biases and make a compelling argument on the patient’s behalf.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Injured Cosmetic Surgery Patients
If you or a loved one suffered harm as the result of cosmetic surgery, call the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Our knowledgeable, experienced legal team has successfully represented injured patients in all types of medical negligence cases. We will thoroughly review the facts of your case and hold the negligent party accountable to obtain the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online for a free consultation.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent medical malpractice victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
