Eyelid surgery negligence
compensation claims

If an eyelid surgery injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Eyelid surgery negligence can lead to vision issues, asymmetry, or need for further corrective surgical procedures.

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by eyelid surgery blepharoplasty negligence, 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 No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist clinical negligence solicitor.

You are not alone

In 2021, blepharoplasty surgery, or eyelid surgery, was the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK, with nearly 1,600 procedures completed (source: baaps.org.uk).

As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, there are risks inherent to the blepharoplasty procedure.

303 new ophthalmology negligence claims were referred to NHS Resolution in 2022/23 (resolution.nhs.uk).

Where a negative outcome is the result of negligence, however, or if you were not told of the risks before surgery, it may be possible to claim compensation.

If you decide to make an eyelid surgery negligence 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 eyelid surgery, visit: eyelid surgery (nhs.uk).

Am I eligible for eyelid surgery negligence compensation?

If you received treatment from a medical professional that fell below the accepted standard of care, and you were harmed as a result, you can claim compensation for eyelid surgery negligence.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Or you can call 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor. Find out in minutes if you have a claim.

How long after a negligent eyelid surgery procedure do I have to claim compensation?

You usually have 3 years to make an eyelid surgery negligence claim, from the date you learned you were harmed by the substandard care (the date of knowledge).

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 eyelid surgery negligence?

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

If it can be proved that your injury left you unable to work, special damages can be awarded for any lost earnings, loss of commission or bonuses, and loss of pension contributions. It may also be possible to claim for loss of future earnings, if the medical prognosis establishes that you won't be able to work for any period in the future.

These damages will also cover the cost of any medical procedures you might need to treat or recover from your eyelid injury such as corrective surgery, pain medication and psychological support.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

Symptoms that may indicate negligent surgery

As eyelid surgery is an invasive procedure, it is normal to feel some pain and discomfort following surgery.

Symptoms following the procedure might include swelling, bruising, and dry, itchy or watery eyes, which should clear gradually as your skin heals. However, if these symptoms continue for longer than your medical professional expects, it may be a sign of negligent surgery.

If the surgery was performed without due care and attention, more serious side-effects and symptoms may include:

• Infection
• Difficulty closing eyes
• Damage to corneas
• Double vision
• Haemorrhage causing bleeding into the eye socket, which could damage the optic nerve
• Poor technique leading to uneven appearance
• Droopiness of the lower lid

Claiming compensation

If your blepharoplasty surgery has gone wrong, you may be able to claim for the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Psychological damage
• Costs for corrective surgery
• Income lost due to incapacitation

Eyelid surgery is often performed to improve a person's appearance or to correct a medical problem. Due to the nature of the surgery, if it goes wrong it can be very damaging to your quality of life. Botched surgery may affect your self-confidence as it might result in a change in your appearance. It may also affect your ability to continue living as before if, for example, the surgery affects a your eyesight which could prevent you driving or even working.

Making a claim against the person or practice responsible can go some way to alleviating these problems, and covering costs for further procedures to correct the sub-standard surgery.

A claim will be made against the medical professional or the cosmetic surgery practice they work for. If the surgery is carried out under the NHS, the claim may be made against the local NHS Trust or hospital.

Clinical negligence claims

Eyelid surgery negligence is usually categorised as clinical negligence. Click on the icon below for more information.

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.