Liposuction
Negligence Claims

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

Liposuction, a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess fat and reshape specific areas of the body, can lead to adverse outcomes, infection or injury, when performed negligently. If you have experienced complications, injuries, or unsatisfactory results due to surgical error, we can help.

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

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a type of cosmetic surgery used to remove unwanted fat to improve appearance. The operation is also known as liposculpture or suction-assisted lipectomy.

By permanently removing fat cells it can alter shape, and is most often carried out on the buttocks, hips, thighs, tummy and upper arms.

You are not alone

In 2023, there were 2,424 liposuction procedures, a small decline on 2022, but a large increase above 2021. Clinical negligence cases have risen in line with this trend (baaps.org.uk).

It was in the five most popular cosmetic procedures among both women and men.

If you decide to make a liposuction 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 liposuction procedures, visit: liposuction (nhs.uk).

How much compensation can I claim for liposuction negligence?

Your compensation for liposuction negligence will vary according to:

• the degree of your injury,
• the influence of your injury on your life and work capabilities,
• any financial losses or costs you have incurred due to 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 for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying compensation for lost earnings, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as 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 liposuction negligence compensation payouts

The following liposuction 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).

Non-facial body scars

Am I eligible for liposuction negligence compensation?

You can make an injury claim for liposuction negligence, if:

• you were injured in the last 3 years, and;
• another person was responsible, and;
• that person had a legal duty of care to safeguard you from harm.

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 do I have to start a liposuction negligence claim?

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

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 is liposuction performed?

Liposuction is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic and the procedure may take between 1 and 3 hours. Where liposuction is used on very small areas it may be done so with local anaesthetic.

The surgeon starts by preparing the area from where the fat is to be removed, usually by injecting the area with a mixture of anaesthetic and salt solution to liquefy the fat. A medication called epinephrine is included to reduce blood loss, bruising and swelling.

High frequency vibrations, a weak laser pulse or a high-pressure water jet may be used to further break up the fat cells.

A small cut is made in the skin of the area to be treated into which the surgeon inserts a microcannula (a small suction tube). By a series of movements back and forth the tube is used to loosen the liquefied fat and suck it into a large surgical vacuum machine.

Following this, the surgeon drains any excess fluid and blood using small drainage tubes. This may have to be repeated after the procedure.

What can go wrong?

Although liposuction is generally considered safe, it still carries the risk of complication:

Infections can arise from inadequate surgical site management, necessitating antiseptic measures and post-operative wound care.

Scarring and skin damage, including a spotted appearance or hematoma, may occur due to tissue damage or poor technique.

Some patients experience skin irregularities or numbness, potentially from procedural errors.

Serious risks include internal organ puncture, particularly in abdominal liposuctions, requiring further surgery;

• thromboembolism, a rare but life-threatening condition from blood clots
• burns from microcannula misuse
• blood toxicity from excess anaesthetic solution
• fluid imbalances affecting vital organs.

Additionally, some patients experience unwanted post-surgery results, like lumpy or uneven skin.

See also:

Cosmetic surgery negligence compensation claims

Liposuction clinical negligence claims

Most liposuction claims relate to clinical negligence. Click the icon below to learn more about the claims process.

Medical negligence Other accidents

Sources

Author:
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.