Botox injury
compensation claims

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

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a botox injury, we can help. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of a doctor, nurse, midwife or other medical professional, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

You can make a compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.

You are not alone

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.

But as with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks that must be responsibly managed. If you have suffered avoidable harm from a negligent Botox injection, you should 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 deserve.

What exactly is Botox?

Botox 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 the facial features may droop and be weak. This is 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

Get an impartial opinion

To get impartial advice on whether you have a claim, speak to an injury claim expert on 0800 376 1001.

A brief phone consultation will tell you exactly where you stand. There is no obligation to start a claim.

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 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

I am unhappy with the results - can I make a claim?

There does not need to be a mistake in the way the treatment was performed for a claimant to bring a claim.

If the clinic made representations about the likely result of treatment, which fall short of that expectation, then she may also claim for compensation for the emotional distress and unhappiness.

Fortunately, most injuries arising from carelessly performed Botox injections are temporary and the symptoms and problems eventually clear up.

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How we can help you with your medical negligence claim

Your solicitor will fight for the best possible compensation settlement for you, and the highly-experienced panel of solicitors have an excellent track record of winning medical negligence claims.

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Author:
Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

About the author

Howard 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.