Botox injury
compensation claims

If a Botox injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Botox treatments, popular for cosmetic and medical purposes, can lead to post-procedural complications. If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a Botox injury, we can help.

If you've suffered an injury due to a Botox procedure, whether from improper administration in a clinic by a Botox nurse, or as a result of an allergic reaction or other side effects, a compensation claim may be possible

You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.

You are not alone - 1 in 6 Botox patients are affected by complications

The Botox market has grown rapidly over the past few years. Now one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments, Botox injections are given to thousands of people in the UK every year to help them achieve tighter, wrinkle-free skin.

As with any cosmetic procedure, however, there are risks that must be responsibly managed.

According to recent research, Botox adverse events affect one in every six patients (sciencedirect.com).

If you have suffered avoidable harm from a negligent Botox procedure, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

If you decide to make a Botox injury claim, your medical negligence solicitor will take you through every step of the claims process. Your solicitor will be with you until you win your claim and get the compensation you need to move forward.

If you are looking for information on Botox, see: Botox (nhs.uk).

How long do I have to start a claim?

If your injury is apparent immediately after medical treatment, you will have 3 years to start a claim.

It may be that the negligent procedure happened more than 3 years ago, but your injury was only diagnosed recently, within the last 3 years. If so, you may still be able to make a claim.

What if your injury was diagnosed months or years after treatment?

You may not be immediately aware of your injury. In some cases, months and even years can pass before symptoms appear.

The law allows you to make a medical negligence claim up to three years after the 'date of knowledge' (when you first learned of the injury).

It is recommended that you start a claim as soon as possible, as medical negligence cases can be complex. Starting your claim sooner will give your solicitor more time to gather medical evidence, assess the extent of your injury and to negotiate interim payments and your final compensation amount.

How much compensation can I claim for a botox injury?

The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:

• the seriousness of your injury, and
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred.

At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.

General damages

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).

Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Special damages

Special damages is compensation awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your Botox injury or negligent medical treatment. These damages aim to put you back in the financial position you would have been in, had your injury not occurred.

Special damages will also cover your medical treatment expenses, that might include anti-allergic medication, pain medication and topical treatments.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

What exactly is Botox?

Botox (botulinum toxin) is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum called botulinum toxin. It is used in tiny concentrations medically to treat excessive sweating, chronic migraine, cerebral palsy, incontinence, squinting, rapid blinking and muscle spasms.

Cosmetically it is used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles and fine lines in adults by helping to relax facial muscles.

How is Botox administered cosmetically?

Botox is a prescription-only medicine that should only be given by an appropriately trained doctor, pharmacist, dentist or registered nurse in a clinical environment. The injections should not be carried out by beauty therapists who lack the necessary clinical background.

Treatments should be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment to avoid infection and possible permanent physical damage. They should not be carried out in a home setting or, for example, in a nail bar or tattoo parlour.

During the procedure, skin is cleaned and small amounts of Botox are injected into the area to be treated. Several injections are usually needed at different sites.

It usually takes three to five days for the effects to be visible and up to two weeks for the full effect to be realised. The results generally last for about three to four months.

Botox should never be used in pregnant or lactating women, or by people who have had a previous allergic reaction to the drug or any of its ingredients.

What are the risks?

Although Botox injections are generally safe, a person may experience flu-like symptoms for the first 24 hours following treatment, and there may be bruising at the injection site.

Sometimes unintended facial issues like a droopy eyebrow, a weeping eye or problems with facial expressions can develop. These are usually temporary and should improve as the effects of the treatment wear off, but may be very distressing.

In rarer cases serious problems may develop that require immediate medical attention. These include blurred or double vision (where the eye area has been injected) or breathing difficulties (if the neck has been injected).

Other problems may include:

• Headaches
• Disfigurement
• Allergic reactions
• Loss of speech
• Swelling
• Scars
• Loss of facial movement

I am unhappy with the results - is a claim possible?

A claim may still be possible even when no technical y treatment errors were made. If the clinic promised results that were not met, leading to emotional distress and unhappiness, a compensation claim may still be valid.

Clinical negligence claims

Cosmetic procedure injuries are usually categorised as clinical negligence. Click on the icon below for more information.

Medical negligence Other accidents

Citations

Author:
Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

About the author

Howard Willis qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is a recognised Law Society Personal Injury Panel expert.