If a laser skin resurfacing injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
Laser skin resurfacing, a popular cosmetic procedure aimed at rejuvenating the skin, can sometimes lead to injuries like burns, scarring, or pigment changes. Complications can arise due to improper technique, equipment malfunction, or lack of post-procedure care.
If you have suffered an injury or adverse effects from a laser skin resurfacing treatment, 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.
Cosmetic surgery claims are on the increase - you're not alone
In it's most recent study, the Department of Health (DoH) estimated that the UK cosmetic interventions market would be worth £3.6 billion in 2015 (source: gov.uk).
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).
Like all non-surgical skin procedures, laser skin resurfacing or rejuvenation carries inherent risks. These risks mean a procedure can result in an adverse outcome through no fault of the practitioner. However, if you are harmed as the result of a the practitioner's negligence, it is likely that you can claim compensation.
If you decide to make a skin lasering 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.
See also:
Clinical negligence compensation claims
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 skin lasering negligence?
Compensation for skin lasering negligence is dependent on:
- the severity of your injury,
- how your injury disrupts your life and work,
- the financial losses or expenses you've faced because of your injury.
Skin lasering negligence
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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 skin 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 treatment, topical treatments and pain medication.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Average skin lasering negligence compensation payouts
The following skin lasering negligence 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 skin laser resurfacing negligence claim?
You have the right to claim skin lasering negligence compensation if the care you received did not meet the appropriate standard of care, and you were injured by this negligent treatment.
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 do I have to make a skin resurfacing negligence claim?
For a skin lasering negligence claim, you usually have 3 years to make a claim from the date you became aware of the negligent treatment (date of knowledge).
What is the law relating to laser skin resurfacing?
The practice is almost entirely unregulated and laser resurfacing-related clinical negligence can lead to injury such as burns, scarring and infection. The estimated cost to the NHS of inadequate cosmetic laser treatments is over 2 million a year.
Anyone can perform laser skin resurfacing, in any premises, provided that suitable approved and medically-regulated equipment is used. Although practitioners of laser skin treatments are required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), practitioners are not classified as regulated.
Wider regulations such as the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 do apply and are enforced by local authority bodies, such as Trading Standards. Although Trading Standards will investigate whether a premises conforms to health and safety standards, the has only limited powers to sanction practitioners who breach the regulations.
The law recognises laser surgery practitioners as beauticians rather than medical professionals, however these practitioners do still have a duty of care towards their clients.
If a person carrying out a procedure breaches this duty, and a patient is injured as a result, the practitioner may be liable to pay compensation in the event of a claim.
The importance of negligence in laser skin rejuvenation claims
Proving negligence in laser skin rejuvenation cases can be difficult, particularly if the patient was warned of the risks prior to undergoing treatment.
For a claim to be successful, it must be shown that the person carrying out the treatment caused the damage through negligence, rather than the injury being the result of a risk inherent to the procedure. Alternatively, it a claim may still succeed if the injury was the result of an inherent risk, but one that the patient was not informed about.
What are the risks of laser skin resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing or rejuvenation involves using an intense beam of light radiation to remove the outer layers of skin and encourage new skin growth. It is typically used for removing wrinkles, tightening skin and improving the look of scars and pigmentation.
Risks in terms of injury include:
- Scarring
- Darkening or lightening of pigmentation
- Burns and blisters
- Infection
- Bruising
- Prolonged redness
Not highlighting the risks prior to commencing treatment may amount to negligence. Other types of negligence commonly seen in these types of claims include:
- Inappropriate use or overuse of the laser e.g. by holding it to close or for too long on the skin
- Failure to properly assess a patient and their suitability for the treatment
- Use of unregulated equipment
- Inadequate health and safety procedures
See also:
Clinical negligence compensation claims
What evidence is required to prove negligence?
Specific evidence is required to prove negligence in these types of claims. In particular, photographs are likely to be needed to show the visual extent of your injury.
A solicitor can arrange a medical assessment to determine the extent of the injury, and the likely prognosis. These two factors will help to determine an appropriate amount of compensation.
Skin resurfacing clinical negligence claims
Most skin procedure claims involve clinical negligence. Click the icon below to learn more about the claims process.
Can I make a no win, no fee skin lasering negligence claim?
Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim skin lasering negligence 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
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- No Win No Fee solicitors
Call 0800 376 1001
or arrange a callbackAuthor:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Injury Claims. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.