Stern Law is led by Principal Solicitor, Terry Stern, one of the most experienced medical negligence lawyers in NSW with over 35 years’ experience in the field and an Accredited Specialist in Personal injury Law.
Our Commitment: Stern Law is dedicated to a team approach, drawing on a variety of skills and backgrounds in medical negligence law to get our clients the best results.
Cosmetic surgery has gained popular momentum over the last two decades, although as demonstrated on the cover of 2000s magazines, sometimes the results are not those that were expected nor desired. Through the rise of social media, cosmetic surgery has only expanded but with that comes more inexperienced and unqualified practitioners ‘giving it a go’. The common problem is that any doctor with a medical degree (MBBS) in Australia can title themselves a ‘cosmetic surgeon’, notably requiring far less experience than the specialist training which plastic surgeons must undertake.
Whilst botched lip jobs and Botox come to mind, sometimes the consequences of cosmetic surgery can cause long lasting and severe consequences for patients.
Medical Negligence Claims
Plastic or cosmetic surgeons owe a duty of care to their patients to exercise a standard of reasonable skill and care. When there is a breach of this duty, and harm is suffered as a result, cosmetic surgery negligence compensation may be available.
Examples of negligence in cosmetics include:
Breast augmentation negligence
Botox and cosmetic fillers claims
Rhinoplasty (nose job) compensation
Liposuction/ tummy tuck compensation
Labiaplasty and penile enhancement procedure claims
Incorrect surgical technique or treatment
Failure to provide informed consent – material side effects/ risks were not discussed
Incorrect medication or anesthesia during surgery
Procedure was performed by an unqualified or unlicensed practitioner
Post – operative infections
Nerve damage
Scarring
Compensation is available for:
Past and future medical expenses
Loss of earnings
Pain and suffering
Carers and assistance required in the future
Principal Solicitor Terry Stern, settled a case at mediation for the plaintiff who suffered extensive scarring and misaligned nipples following a breast augmentation surgery. The cosmetic surgeon was found to be negligent for failing to obtain informed by consent by appropraitley discussing the risks and expected results.
Recently, a group of 240 women brought a class action against Australia's largest cosmetic surgery provider, The Cosmetic Institute (TCI), alleging negligence during breast augmentation procedures which has left them with life-threatening complications. Cardiac arrest, seizure and emergency surgery are some of the harmful consequences these women suffered as a result of the breach to the duty of care. Read more at ABC News
How to Establish a Claim
To establish an action in negligence, with your consent, our firm will collect your personal medical records and any correspondence with the relevant cosmetic surgeon. These will be reviewed by specialised medical negligence solicitors and expert medical advice to determine whether the care you received, failed to meet the standard of reasonable care which resulted in further harm to you.
Reach out to our team at Stern Law, offering a unique and individualised understanding of the sensitive nature of medical negligence claims. We will listen with empathy and provide guidance through the complex claims process.
Please call us on (02) 9387 1399 or email us at reception@sternlaw.com.au
We look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is intended only to provide a summary and general overview of matters of interest. It does not constitute medical or legal advice and should not be relied on as such.
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