Charlottesville Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice Attorney
Frequently, people are dissatisfied with cosmetic surgery results. Typically, they expect a radical day-night transformation, and they get an afternoon-dusk transformation instead. Dissatisfaction with the results is usually between the doctor and patient. Professional negligence, on the other hand, is a matter for the courts to decide. If the doctor made a mistake before, during, or after the procedure, substantial compensation could be available.
When these disputes arise, the medical malpractice insurance company has a team of lawyers whose only mission is to reduce or deny compensation. So, these victims need an equally tough cosmetic surgery malpractice attorney in Charlottesville who is dedicated to them. That’s the kind of representation you’ll find at MichieHamlett. In addition to compensatory damages for things like revision surgery bills and emotional distress, many of these victims are entitled to significant punitive damages.
Kinds of Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice
Cosmetic surgery malpractice could occur before, during, or after the procedure. Doctors have a very high duty of care in all three areas. And, as the old saying goes, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Before the procedure, cosmetic surgeons must ensure that the patient qualifies for the surgery and that the patient consents to every aspect of it. Unfortunately, many doctors are so interested in money that they treat patients who are only marginally qualified for the procedure. As for the consent, many doctors use boilerplate forms which may not reflect the work which the doctor will do.
In Virginia, anesthesia errors and technical errors are the most common mistakes during the procedure itself.
Many cosmetic surgeons are good at what they do, but they are not fully-qualified anesthesiologists. If the patient does not get enough medicine, the patient could wake up in the middle of a nightmare. Too much medicine, and the patient might not wake up at all. Almost inevitably, something goes wrong during a surgical procedure. Some doctors are so focused on results that they take shortcuts during the operation or fail to adhere to the standard of care.
Cosmetic surgery procedures typically have long recovery periods. For at least part of the time, patients can only participate in limited activities. Some doctors do not adequately convey the amount of time required or do not adequately warn patients of the risks involved.
Evidence of Malpractice
Witness testimony is usually critical in Charlottesville cosmetic surgery malpractice claims. Medical testimony usually establishes the standard of care, as well as the way the doctor violated this standard of care. Then, the victims and their friends or family members usually testify about the practical effects of that medical malpractice.
Medical bills are usually admissible as well. In addition to clinical information, such as diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and cost, most medical bills include treatment notes. These notes are very useful to Charlottesville cosmetic surgery malpractice lawyers.
Victim/plaintiffs must establish negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not. To receive the aforementioned punitive damages, victim/plaintiffs must show, by clear and convincing evidence, that the doctor intentionally disregarded a known risk.
Connect with a Savvy Attorney
Malpractice could occur before, during, or after a procedure. For a free consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgery malpractice lawyer in Charlottesville, contact MichieHamlett. You have a limited amount of time to act.
