Dermal Filler
Negligence Claims

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

Dermal filler procedures, intended to enhance facial aesthetics, can occasionally result in complications or injuries due to negligence, such as incorrect application, use of substandard products, or inadequate post-treatment care. If you have experienced adverse effects or harm from a dermal filler treatment, you may be entitled to compensation.

Dermal filler injuries can cause allergic reactions, infection or uneven skin texture and they are often treated with antihistamines or reversal agents.

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a dermal filler injury, we can help. You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are an increasingly popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure intended to rejuvenate skin and improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Dermal fillers are injectable substances used in cosmetic procedures to restore volume, smooth out wrinkles, and enhance facial contours. Commonly made from materials like hyaluronic acid, collagen, or synthetic polymers, these fillers are injected beneath the skin's surface to fill in deep lines, plump up lips, enhance cheekbones, or soften creases.

The effects are temporary, lasting from several months to a few years, depending on the type of filler used and the individual's response.

Cosmetic surgery claims are on the increase - you're not alone

The UK's dermal filler market has experienced rapid growth. These non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation, provided by clinics and even dentists across the country, offer immediate results with minimal downtime. However, like any medical procedure, they carry risks and potential side effects, underscoring the importance of seeking treatment from qualified professionals.

Despite a small decrease in 2023, there has been a 17% annual increase on average in cosmetic procedures since 2012, with non-surgical procedures accounting for more than 75% of the market (hee.nhs.uk).

If you decide to make a dermal filler 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 need information on face and lip fillers, visit: face and lip fillers (nhs.uk).

How much compensation can I claim for dermal filler negligence?

The compensation you can claim for dermal filler negligence will depend on:

• the nature and severity of your injury,
• the impact of your injury on your daily life and ability to work,
• any financial burdens or costs arising from your injury.

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 are awarded to compensate you for any costs or losses you've incurred or might incur as a result of your accident. These costs might include loss of earnings (including future earnings loss and retraining costs), or any other out of pocket expenses.

Special damages may also be awarded for medical treatments or procedures that you might need to treat your dermal filler injury, including anti-allergic medication, pain medication and corrective treatment.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average dermal filler injury compensation payouts

The following dermal filler injury 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).

Facial scarring

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.

Dermal filler compensation claims

Increasing numbers of people are claiming compensation for cosmetic procedures that have gone wrong. The two main reasons for dermal filler compensation claims are as follows.

Procedural error

A dermal filler negligence claim can be made against a cosmetic surgeon or a clinic if they are found to be responsible for procedural error. Procedural errors include:

Incorrect placement of fillers

This can cause lumps and bumps under the skin

Overcorrection

When too much filler is injected and must be removed this can be difficult to do

Failure to advise

Medical professionals are required to inform their patients of the potential risks and side-effects of treatment so that the patient can make an informed decision. If the cosmetic surgeon or the clinic fail to adequately inform the patient of the risks associated with treatment, the patient may be able to make a compensation claim. Claims can be made for:

• Allergic reactions
• Side-effects of treatment that were not adequately explained prior to the procedure

What can I claim compensation for?

Patients can claim compensation for the physical effects of a botched procedure, including lumps and bumps from incorrect placement of dermal fillers, and allergic reactions.

Psychological effects can also form the basis of a claim, as dermal fillers are usually injected on the face, procedural errors may impact on the self-esteem of an individual, affecting their mental health and self-confidence.

How we have helped others

Our panel of personal injury solicitors have assisted clients who have sustained injuries during surgical and no surgical cosmetic treatments such as:

• those using biosynthetic polymers, collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA).
• those carried out on lips, nasolabial lines, marionette lines and vertical lip lines
• general wrinkle reduction and lip volume enhancement
• Juvederm and silhouette soft

Dermal filler clinical negligence claims

Most dermal filler injury claims involve clinical negligence. Click the icon below to explore the next steps in the claims process.

Medical negligence Other accidents

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.