Florida Injury Lawyer Blog
Plastic surgery has become a booming business. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons there were 15.6 million cosmetic procedures across the country in 2014 – an increase of 3% from the year before.
Most patients turn to cosmetic surgery to increase their confidence and to look better. Most don’t imagine that pursuing a better look could cause serious or event fatalities, but it does happen. In some cases, patients suffer from poor results. A brow lift may cause uneven brows or unusual puckering of the skin, for example. In other situations, the results may be more dire. Patients may suffer from serious complications or allergic reactions. In some cases, implements are left in the patients during surgery or anesthesiologists make errors that cause brain damage, loss of motor function, or other serious complications. In some cases, complications cause coma or even fatalities.
Who is to Blame?
When a patient passes away or finds their life seriously or permanently impacted by a cosmetic procedure, they may have the right to seek a civil suit and compensation. In these cases, however, the patient and their attorney need to prove that a doctor was negligent and didn’t simply make an error.
Sometimes, an attorney can show that a doctor failed to follow proper, expected procedures during a surgery. In other cases, the doctor may not even have the right licensing or credentials for a specific cosmetic procedure. However, doctors and clinics are not willing to share information about possible adverse effects. In many cases, court orders and subpoenaing of medical records needs to happen to get to the bottom of a surgery gone wrong. A qualified, experienced attorney can be invaluable in these cases.
Preventing Medical Malpractice and Injury in Hollywood and Florida
Florida has many doctors and clinics offering cosmetic procedures. If you decide to seek cosmetic enhancement, there are a few ways you can reduce your risk:
- Look for a surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Other surgeons may claim certification by other boards, but this professional body has the highest standards.
- Look for a doctor who has hospital privileges. This shows a higher standard of care and gives you an additional place to turn in case there are any complications.
- Contact the Florida Board of Medicine to verify your doctor’s credentials and licensing for the state.
- Compare your surgeon to others. Ask for recommendations and ask lots of questions. Visit a few surgeons and choose the one with the best credentials and the surgeon who makes you feel most comfortable.
- Don’t choose surgeons based on price alone. Discounted procedures are only a good bargain if they give you good results and keep you safe. It is better to pay a little more for a more experienced and trusted professional.
Of course, even if are careful, you may still suffer an adverse reaction. If this happens, seek medical help right away and then contact a Florida personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The clinic or doctor may take immediate steps to limit their liability, and you will want to act fast to protect your rights, as well. If you face a long recovery period or expensive medical bills due to negligence, you will want to seek the fairest compensation possible so that you don’t have to pay your costs out of pocket.
If you are looking for an attorney in the Hollywood, Homestead, or South Florida area, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation. Our legal team would be happy to listen to your concerns and to offer a personalized consultation based on the specifics of your situation.