Cosmetic Surgery Negligence

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Our Australian medical negligence solicitors handle claims involving cosmetic and plastic surgery negligence. Call our free helpline to find out about your compensation rights.

Plastic surgery is a broad spectrum of both reconstructive and cosmetic surgical procedures. The Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon may be known as a Plastic Surgeon or Cosmetic Surgeon.

Plastic surgery has been an advanced surgical specialty that has lead the way in management of burns, cleft lip and other congenital deformities, traumatic injuries including replantation of amputated parts, microvascular surgery, hand surgery and cosmetic surgery of the face, breast and body.

Most common areas leading to claims of medical negligence:

• Breast reduction
• Breast augmentation
• Brow lift
• Chemical peel
• Gender reassignment surgery
• Laser treatment
• Liposuction
• Rhinoplasty
• Tattoo removal
• Hand Surgery
• Face Lift
• Botox
• Dermal Fillers

Lack of regulation of cosmetic surgery is a real concern in Australia. Some doctors are performing cosmetic procedures without adequate specialist training. There are also concerns that some clinics do not have an anaesthetist present and the surgeon cannot adequately deal with anaesthetic complications that may occur.

Common complaints against cosmetic and plastic surgeons usually involve patients who are unhappy with the outcome of the surgery - their expectations may have not been met, or who have suffered from post-operative complications such as infection or severe scarring. Failure to warn of complications is a major area of complaint when it comes to obtaining informed consent to cosmetic procedures.

Australian Plastic Surgery Cases

Lendvay v Loxley [1999] NSWCA 156 - the patient lost their eyesight during routine cosmetic surgery.

Arkinstall v Jenkins [2001] QSC 412 - patient was awarded compensation as it was found that her plastic surgeon did not give her adequate advice about her breast surgery.

Collinge v Olbourne (unreported, NSWDC, 5 May 2003)- the patient successfully sued her plastic surgeon for failing to diagnose an infection after her breast reduction surgery.

Olbourne v Wolf [2004] NSWCA 141 - a plastic surgeon was negligent because they prematurely discharged a patient after hospital staff expressed concern of possible wound infection.

Turner v Blackstock [2019] NSWDC 102 - patient awarded $204,670.50 compensation for adverse result from breast augmentation surgery. "But for the unprofessional and incompetent treatment provided to her by the defendant, the plaintiff would not have encountered the complications that occurred at the hands of an unqualified surgeon."

Cosmetic Surgery Claims Solicitors

Note that not every death or injury which occurs in conjunction with medical care is the result of medical negligence. Most medical providers are competent, dedicated, and committed professionals.

However, if you have questions about the care you received, we can have a medical negligence lawyer review your case. We are firmly committed to helping you find out if you or a loved one has suffered injuries or death as a result of medical negligence. Our lawyers can advise you whether you can make a legal claim for compensation for cosmetic surgery negligence.