If you scheduled a liposuction procedure, you were more than likely excited about how the procedure would affect your life after you recovered. Many liposuctions often go off without a hitch, but if you or a loved one encountered medical malpractice after undergoing liposuction in Los Angeles, you might qualify for compensation for what happened to you.
The legal team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can listen to your situation and offer advice on the next steps you could take if you experienced issues with your liposuction. Contact us today at (800) 970-4884 for a free initial consultation so our representatives can speak with you and get you connected with a Los Angeles liposuction lawyer.
The Dangers of Liposuction
While liposuction is usually a straightforward procedure, it does have some dangers associated with it, especially if your plastic surgeon allows someone inexperienced with the process to perform it on you. The Mayo Clinic describes that side effects of liposuction can include:
- Nerve damage
- Fat embolisms
- Skin infections
- Splotches or skin blemishes
If these conditions occur during your procedure or after, and the staff does not know how to handle them properly, you could end up with a permanent injury—or in rare cases, even death.
Other places, such as spas, offer techniques like Smart Lipo that can also pose dangers. Smart Lipo uses lasers to “melt” fat to make it easier to suction out. Practitioners often perform these procedures in an office setting instead of a hospital, which could make it more difficult to handle any medical emergencies that might arise during liposuction.
If anything goes awry during the procedure, a court could classify it as medical malpractice. Whether a mistake rises to the level of medical malpractice depends on what happened and how.
When Liposuction Errors Become Medical Malpractice
The circumstances of malpractice centers around how a patient gets treated. If you suffer injuries due to liposuction, you will need to show that the doctor or person performing the liposuction failed to provide you a reasonable standard of care. You also must show that they did not uphold the standard of care. Finally, you need to show that the doctor directly caused your injury.
The lipo process is usually straightforward, as a doctor makes a small cut and places the tools there to break up the fat cells. Usually, the fat breaks up, and the suctioning tool removes the fat. However, the device that breaks up the fat is sharp. When an inexperienced plastic surgeon uses it, they could potentially cut an organ or an artery, leading to other complications.
If your liposuction does end up going wrong, you could end up suffering from lifelong issues. In one out of 5,000 cases, according to a study in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, liposuction results in the patient’s death.
For a free legal consultation with a Liposuction Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 970-4884
Things to Consider if Liposuction Goes Wrong
If your liposuction procedure has complications, and you believe it resulted from medical malpractice, you could benefit from talking to a Los Angeles liposuction lawyer. They can advise you on the next steps to take to get your case filed. A plastic surgeon will often try to settle with you and have you agree to a certain sum of money before you consult an attorney and learn the full value of your claim. You could qualify for much more than what they offer you.
When you have a lawyer on your side, they can work on your behalf and negotiate with all involved parties to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
They will also assemble all your medical records so that you have the evidence needed for your case. They will make sure that you file your claim in time not to miss the California statute of limitations. CCP § 340.5 states that medical malpractice victims have three years from the date of the incident, or one year from discovering their malpractice-related injuries, to file their claim.
If you do not file your case in time, a court might dismiss your suit. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to determine whether you still qualify to file your case.
Los Angeles Liposuction Lawyer Near Me (800) 970-4884
Types of Compensation You Could Collect
After you prove your eligibility to receive compensation under California’s negligence laws outlined in CIV § 1714, you could claim for economic damages such as:
- Loss of earnings: If you miss work due to injuries related to malpractice during your liposuction, you can recover the income you did not receive.
- Future potential income: If the liposuction procedure affects you to where you cannot resume your work duties, you can recover for the impact your injuries have on your earning potential.
- Medical costs: A botched procedure can lead to other medical expenses that you should not have to pay because of someone else’s negligence.
- Future medical bills: You may also face future medical treatment or rehabilitation, and the liable medical practitioner should have to pay for these therapies as well.
You can also file for noneconomic damages that are not easily quantifiable. If you have a botched lipo, you may end up with physical pain and suffering as well as mental and emotional turmoil. Under CIV § 3333.2 (part of the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act), you can only collect up to $250,000 in noneconomic damages.
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Call Us Today if You Experienced a Botched Liposuction Procedure
If you or a loved one encountered issues with a botched liposuction and experienced injuries or other undesirable side effects, you could seek damages for medical malpractice against the practitioner who performed the procedure. A Los Angeles liposuction lawyer could assist you with your case and help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve for your plastic surgeon’s negligence.
Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our representatives so we can get started on your case right away. Call us at (800) 970-4884.
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