Cosmetic surgery is often viewed as elective, but that doesn’t mean it’s risk-free – or that cosmetic surgeons are held to a lower standard of care than other doctors. When a cosmetic procedure goes wrong due to negligence, patients in Washington have the right to pursue a medical malpractice claim. Please contact a skilled medical malpractice attorney now if you’re dealing with complications after a cosmetic surgery procedure.
Cosmetic Surgery Still Requires a High Standard of Care
In Washington, cosmetic surgeons must meet the same professional standard of care as any other medical provider. This means they must act with the skill, care, and learning expected of a reasonably prudent surgeon in similar circumstances.
Even though procedures like breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction, or facelifts are elective, surgeons are not shielded from liability simply because you chose to undergo the procedure.
If a provider fails to meet the accepted standard and causes harm, it may constitute medical malpractice.
Common Types of Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice
Cosmetic surgery malpractice can take many forms. Some of the most common issues include:
- Surgical errors – Mistakes during surgery (such as operating on the wrong site, damaging underlying structures, or using improper techniques) can lead to severe complications and permanent injury.
- Poor surgical technique or results – While not every unsatisfactory result is malpractice, outcomes that fall far below acceptable medical standards may indicate negligence. This can include significant asymmetry, disfigurement, or avoidable scarring.
- Anesthesia errors – Errors in administering anesthesia can result in serious injury, brain damage, or even death. These cases often see both the surgeon and the anesthesiology team named as defendants.
- Infections and post-operative care failures – Failure to maintain sterile conditions or properly monitor a patient after surgery can lead to preventable infections or complications.
- Lack of informed consent – Patients must be fully informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives before undergoing cosmetic surgery. If a surgeon fails to disclose material risks, and a patient suffers harm as a result, that may support a malpractice claim.
When Does a Bad Outcome Become Malpractice?
One of the most common misconceptions is that a poor cosmetic result automatically equals malpractice. That is not always the case.
To succeed in a medical malpractice claim in Washington, a patient generally must prove:
- A doctor-patient relationship existed,
- The provider breached the standard of care,
- The breach caused injury, and
- The patient suffered damages.
In cosmetic surgery cases, the distinction often comes down to whether the result was a known risk of the procedure, or the result of negligent care.
What Compensation is Available?
If malpractice is proven, injured patients may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (including corrective surgeries),
- Lost income or reduced earning capacity,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
In cases involving severe disfigurement or long-term complications, damages can be substantial.
Contact Otorowski & Golden, PLLC
Please know that our firm is here to help if you were injured due to a medical provider’s malpractice. Otorowski & Golden, PLLC provides free consultations to all our potential clients. The attorneys at our law firm also have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties in medical malpractice cases. They never back down to insurers and fight for their clients’ interests every step of the way. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal representation you deserve.