Plastic surgery is a branch of surgery that is typically used to repair or reconstruct human tissue and skin. Procedures usually aim to restore the function or appearance of skin, tissue, and body parts. Some common plastic surgery procedures include repairing birth abnormalities such as a cleft lip or webbed feet, repairing burned skin through a skin graft, and cosmetic procedures such as breast augmentation. Unfortunately, many complications can arise when people undergo plastic surgery procedures including infections and scarring. Read on to find out more about the risks of plastic surgery and the legal implications associated with these procedures.
Plastic Surgery Risks
As with any surgical procedure, patients who undergo plastic surgery are exposed to a number of health risks. Occasionally, these complications may cause permanent harm to a patient, may require further surgical procedures, and may even cause death. Below is a list of common complications caused by plastic surgery procedures:
- Infections
- Scars
- Necrosis
- Implant rejection
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Allergic reaction
- Blood clots and hematoma
- Blood pressure drop
Surgical Errors
Medical malpractice occurs when a mistake is made by a doctor that a competent medical professional would not have made in the same circumstances. Not all surgical errors qualify as medical malpractice. In these types of cases, the victim would have to prove that the surgeon’s treatment was below the standard of care and that the error resulted in harm to the patient. Below is a list of common surgical errors.
- Operating on the incorrect person or body part
- Leaving surgical equipment inside a person
- Errors involving too much or too little anesthesia
- Injuring nerves during surgery
Informed Consent
All surgical procedures involve certain risks; however, it’s a doctor’s responsibility to inform patients of complications that may arise during a procedure or treatment. Patients must agree to these risks prior to a procedure, which is called informed consent. While most patients sign consent forms prior to surgery, doctors are also required to discuss these risks so a patient fully understands the extent of complications associated with a procedure. Doctors who fail to inform a patient of risks may be liable for medical malpractice claims.
Getting Help
Plastic surgery errors may leave patients with permanent complications. Often, these complications result in having to receive corrective surgery, permanent disfigurement, loss of earnings, chronic pain, and/or mental distress. Patients who believe they are victims of medical malpractice would need to prove that a doctor-patient relationship existed, that a surgeon acted incompetently, and that the patient suffered harm as a result of a doctor’s error. Medical malpractice is a complex area of law, and many states have laws that limit the amount of time a patient has to file a legal claim following a procedure.
To find out more about filing a medical malpractice claim, contact experienced medical malpractice attorney in Kentucky, Seth Gladstein. Seth will help you make the right decisions and fight for your case. Call today or fill out our online contact form and we will get in touch with you within 24 hours.
