If a cosmetic surgery injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Complications from cosmetic surgery can be both physical and emotional. If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a negligent cosmetic surgery procedure, we can help.
If your injuries were caused by the negligence of a medical professional, you may be entitled to claim compensation for remedial treatments, suffering, and any psychological impact on your life.
You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.
Key advice when you claim for cosmetic surgery negligence
- Healthcare and beauty professionals are legally required to safeguard patients from harm.
- If you suffered harm because of cosmetic surgery negligence, you have the right to claim compensation.
- You can claim for errors made during the procedure, improper aftercare, or lack of informed consent.
- You have 3 years from the date your discovered you were the victim of negligence to begin your claim.
- Your compensation is based on how seriously you were harmed, along with your financial losses and expenses. Check our compensation calculator to see how much you could claim.
- You can also claim for psychological trauma you have suffered following negligent cosmetic treatment, and for reconstructive surgery and treatment.
- Your claim can proceed on a no win, no fee basis.
With 13,000 medical negligence claims each year, you are not alone
31,057 cosmetic procedures took place in 2022, a 102% increase from 2021 (Sce. baaps.org.uk).
Any surgery, including cosmetic surgery, carries risks. Negative outcomes can occur despite the professionalism and training of the medical staff carrying out a procedure.
With the number of cosmetic surgery procedures on the increase, it is likely that the number of procedures that result in negative outcomes will also increase.
Over 13,000 claims were received by NHS Resolution in 2022/23, according to an analysis of NHS data (resolution.nhs.uk).
If something goes wrong as a result of professional negligence, it is likely that a medical negligence claim can be made.
If you decide to make a cosmetic surgery 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 guidance on cosmetic procedures, see: cosmetic surgery (nhs.uk).
What if my 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 cosmetic surgery negligence?
Your claim for compensation in cosmetic surgery negligence will depend on:
- how severe your illness is,
- how much your illness affects your daily life and work performance,
- any financial liabilities or costs you?ve incurred from your illness.
Cosmetic surgery
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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.
Special damages is compensation awarded to cover any financial losses and expenses you incur as a result of your cosmetic surgery 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 corrective surgery, pain medication and psychological support.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average cosmetic surgery compensation payouts
The following cosmetic surgery payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).
These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.
Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).
Dermatitis
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Short-term dermatitis | Affecting hands or other parts of the body (other than your face and scalp), where symptoms resolve with treatment, or short term aggravation of an existing condition | £1,890 to £4,380 |
| Longer-term dermatitis | Affecting hands or other parts of the body (other than your face and scalp), where symptoms take several months or years to resolve with treatment | £9,590 to £12,660 |
| Dermatitis lasting years or indefinitely | Symptoms that last indefinitely, and that affect your daily life and ability to work | £15,250 to £21,300 |
Facial scarring
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (relatively) | A hardly noticeable scar (or scars) | £1,890 to £3,920 |
| Moderate | A single scar that can be camouflaged with makeup, or multiple small scars that don't markedly affect your appearance | £4,380 to £15,250 |
| Significant | Significant scarring where the worst affects are reduced by cosmetic surgery, and/or with causing a psychological impact | £10,110 to £33,380 |
| Serious | Substantial disfigurement and/or a significant psychological impact | £19,930 to £53,720 |
| Severe | A younger person (under 30) with substantial disfigurement and/or a significant psychological impact | £33,040 to £107,990 |
Non-facial body scars
| Severity | Example | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | Burns with scarring and ongoing pain | £2,630 to £8,690 |
| Moderate | Scarring such as an exploratory laparotomy scar | Around £9,590 |
| Serious | A noticeable laceration scar or single disfiguring scar | £8,690 to £25,220 |
| Severe | Severe burns with continuing pain and psychological injury | Up to £116,300 |
Do I have a cosmetic surgery negligence claim?
Yes, you can start a compensation claim for cosmetic surgery negligence, if:
- you became ill in the last 3 years, and;
- another person was responsible, and;
- that person owed a duty of care to prevent foreseeable hazards.
Use our injury claim calculator to find out if you can claim. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.
How long after a negligent cosmetic surgery procedure do I have to claim compensation?
For a cosmetic surgery claim, you usually have 3 years to make a claim from the date you became aware of the negligent treatment (date of knowledge).
The causes of cosmetic surgery negligence
In order to make a cosmetic surgery compensation claim, our solicitor must prove that the cosmetic surgeon or practice was negligent. All medical professionals have a ‘duty of care' to their patients and they must must take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety and well being of the patients in their care. Failure to do so may amount to negligence.
Negligence in cosmetic surgery procedures can include:
Procedural error
This could be a mistake made in the surgery that resulted in physical injury such as nerve damage, or a mistake that meant the surgery produced poor results. Being dissatisfied with the outcome of surgery may not in itself be grounds for a claim, but if an independent medical expert agrees that the results fall below a reasonable standard, it may be possible to make a claim.
Failure to advise
Practitioners are required to give the patient the necessary information to make an informed decision prior to the procedure taking place.
If the practitioner fails to do so, there may be grounds for a compensation claim. Failure to advise could include a failure to warn patients of potential side-effects, or failing to adequately warn the patient of the potential risks associated with the procedure.
Common cosmetic surgery procedure claims
Compensation claims have been made in numerous cases of negligent cosmetic surgery. An increasingly wide range of procedures are identified as 'cosmetic surgery', including:
- Breast augmentation
- Facelifts
- Liposuction
- Botox injections
- Tummy tucks
- Hair replacement
- Laser surgery
- Skin resurfacing
- Blepharoplasty (surgery of the eyelids)
In the case of newer and rarer forms of cosmetic surgery, it may still be possible to make a claim. A specialist solicitor will be able to advise you on your options.
What can I claim compensation for?
If it can be proved that the medical practitioner or the cosmetic practice have been negligent when treating you, you may be able to make a compensation claim for the following:
Physical injuries
The courts recognise that the physical impact of negligent cosmetic surgery can be significant. Awards for scarring to the face and other visible parts of the are frequently higher as a result. Claims are often made for injuries such as nerve damage, scarring and secondary infection arising from inadequate health and safety procedures.
Psychological damage
Compensation awards also reflect the fact that the psychological impact of poor cosmetic surgery can be significant, affecting a person's confidence, self-esteem and mental health.
Cost of corrective procedures and other medical expenses
As with other injury claims, treatment costs can also be factored into the calculation of a cosmetic surgery claim. The cost of corrective surgery, where possible, should be included the agreed settlement or award.
Cosmetic surgery clinical negligence claims
Most cosmetic surgery negligence claims involve clinical negligence. Click the icon below to explore the next steps in the claims process.
Can I make a no win, no fee cosmetic surgery claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim cosmetic surgery compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
Get expert advice now
Interested in talking to a medical negligence specialist about your claim?
- Calls are FREE
- Confidential consultation
- No obligation to claim
- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
or arrange a callbackAuthor:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher
About the author
Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.