Dermal fillers have become a popular treatment option for those who want to improve their look without engaging in actual plastic surgery.
These fillers replace the fat loss as part of aging and helps smooth smile lines and crow’s feet in the process. Furthermore, fillers help restore facial volume and take away the appearance of sagging.
While they are a standard treatment you find at dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and even some spas, they are not always safe. Every procedure, including an injection procedure, carries risks.
When you suffer an injury or horrible side effect, you might wonder whom you can hold accountable for the damage sustained. Unfortunately, there is no yes or no answer. Instead, it depends on how the injury occurred, the extent of that injury, and the amount of negligence involved.
Contact Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC
online or by calling 502-791-9000.
What Are Dermal Fillers and Why Are They So Popular in Louisville Today?
Dermal fillers essentially give you a facelift without surgery. While the results are not as dramatic, the cost savings are. And most patients return for subsequent treatments because they are satisfied with the results.
Here is what the fillers are designed to do:
- Plump thinning lips
- Soften wrinkles and creases
- Plump and enhance contours that appear shallow after facial tissue loss
- Reduce movement on the lower lids and prevent shading
- Improve recessed scar appearance
- Contour the face better
The process is a nonsurgical rejuvenation that is not permanent but designed to give a person more time between having a brow-lift or facelift.
Dermal fillers come in various brands, but ones you might have seen advertisements for include:
- Restylane
- Perlane
- Juvederm
- Radiesse
Buyer Beware: Known Complications and Risks of Dermal Fillers
Every procedure, including nonsurgical ones, have their risks. These injectable fillers are popular, but the treating physician owes a duty to their patient to explain the dangers of the procedure. Without proper explanation, the patient may not be giving informed consent, which opens the door to malpractice later.
In most cases, dermal fillers go without complications. And when they do occur, they are typically minor. However, there are instances where things can go very badly, and a person can be left disfigured or suffer from more life-threatening complications.
Some of these risks include:
Nodules
Nodules are red, painful, or tender lumps. These occur after the injection and often result in a severe bacterial infection. Doctors should follow up with their patients and administer antibiotics if they suspect an infection is present. Without proper treatment, these infections can spread and lead to further complications.
Vascular Complications
Proper injection techniques are crucial for this procedure. Otherwise a person can suffer from vascular compromise. One of the most common areas at risk is the glabellar region because it has an unpredictable anatomy. This can lead to an embolization (air pocket in the vessel) or obstruction. While rare, it is a severe and life-threatening complication that requires immediate medical intervention.
Symptoms of vascular compromise include pain and swelling, edema, and possibly a stroke. The filler may directly block a blood vessel and restrict blood flow to the face and brain.
Allergic Reactions
Unfortunately, the FDA no longer requires allergy testing for the fillers approved in these injections. A person can, however, suffer from an allergic reaction to the substance used in the filler. Sometimes, it is nothing more than irritation, while other times, it can be a severe allergic reaction that requires hospitalization.
Filler Migrations
Migration occurs when a non-biodegradable filler or long-acting calcium version is injected. Migration leads to serious discomfort and distortion of the face and often requires surgical excision to correct.
Granulomas
While it occurs in very few cases, a true granuloma can occur. These typically take up to six months to form and sometimes as long as 15 months. Granulomas occur when products are non-biodegradable or partially biodegradable. An oral steroid is typically given to correct it, but the patient may suffer from permanent atrophy and skin pigment changes.
Blindness
When a vascular compromise occurs, one complication is blindness. A person may become blind in one eye or both, and this is often irreversible once the damage is done.
FDA Already Warning about Injectable Fillers
In August 2014, the Food and Drug Administration issued a Safety Communication about these injectable fillers. The most significant risk noted was vascular blockages from compromised veins. This communication came after the FDA had already received numerous adverse reports about hard nodules, swelling, infections, and vascular compromises.
Contact Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC
online or by calling 502-791-9000.
When Can You Sue a Provider for Dermal Filler Complications?
The side effects mentioned above are the risks associated with this procedure. A person can suffer a debilitating stroke, blindness, facial paralysis, allergic reactions, or be permanently disfigured.
When these fillers go wrong, a legal battle is most likely the last thing on your mind. However, receiving compensation for the physician’s negligence is critical. It can help ease those financial burdens, especially medical costs or lost wages you have encountered. Also, it can help cover future costs from your incident, such as reconstructive surgery or additional medical care.
The process of making a claim can feel daunting, but when you work side-by-side with an attorney, the process becomes easier. An attorney with experience handling malpractice claims takes the stress away from you, handles the mundane tasks, and even negotiates with insurers to get you a settlement.
Even if there was a disclaimer in the brochure or you signed paperwork, if your physician did not adequately disclose the risks or the injury occurred from outright negligence, you have the right to seek compensation.
To get started, speak with an attorney in your area that handles these types of claims. Attorney Seth Gladstein from the Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC, can assist you. He works tirelessly to get his clients the compensation they deserve after a physician’s negligence leaves them permanently injured. He also works hard to ensure that patients in the future do not suffer from similar side effects and results.
Schedule a no-obligation consultation today at 502-791-9000, or request more information online about our legal services.
Contact Gladstein Law Firm, PLLC
online or by calling 502-791-9000.
