Eyelid Surgery Claims
If you have experienced complications following your eyelid surgery (also known as blepharoplasty) and you believe this was due to the negligence of a surgeon or clinic, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Making an eyelid surgery claim will not only allow you to move forward with your life but can also help to prevent the same negligence from being inflicted upon anyone else. The compensation you may be entitled to could help you pay for restorative surgery as well as offer you peace of mind following a distressing experience.
Operating on a no win, no fee basis, we were the first law firm in England and Wales to specialise in cosmetic surgery negligence. This means our dedicated medical negligence solicitors have the confidence and experience you need to successfully pursue a blepharoplasty claim.
With a success rate of 95% for all of our cosmetic surgery claims pursued after obtaining medical evidence, our highly skilled team of lawyers will secure you the eyelid surgery compensation you need to get back on track.
To speak to our expert eyelid surgery compensation claims solicitors for legal advice, simply call us today on 0808 159 3859 or fill out an online enquiry form to request a call back.
What are the signs my eyelid surgery has gone wrong?
Following a blepharoplasty, patients can expect a certain amount of pain and discomfort that might be experienced in the affected area for several weeks, including swelling or itchy and watery eyes.
However, patients may experience one or more of the following complications, which may be a sign that the procedure has been handled negligently:
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Removal of too much skin, leaving eyelids unable to close
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Lopsided appearance, or noticeable differences in the appearance of both eyes
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Removal of too little skin or tissue
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Inappropriately placed or excessive scarring
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Droopiness of the lower lid - known as ectropion
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Tired appearance even after refreshing sleep
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Bruising around the eyes
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Over-correction of a drooping upper lid, resulting in damage to the cornea
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Blurred or impaired vision, in extreme cases leading to acute glaucoma
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In very rare cases, partial or complete blindness
Inexperienced surgeons can cause these issues by removing too much fat, being aggressive, not paying attention to facial symmetry, and leaving the essential parts of your eyelids in the wrong place.
A common reason for getting eyelid surgery is when ptosis occurs, which is the drooping of the eyelid. This is done to make the face look more attractive to the person wanting the surgery. If your ptosis surgery has gone wrong, the opposite of the desired effect may have happened, and so you should seek to understand your options to make a financial claim.
We regularly help our clients to seek compensation and support for with mistakes brought from:
Botched upper eyelid surgery
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As with most negligent eyelid blepharoplasty, botched upper eyelid surgery is likely to result in significant asymmetry between the two eyelids. In the time directly after blepharoplasty, upper eyelid recovery may present minor differences in symmetry, but these are often normal and resolve over time.
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Upper eyelid ptosis is likely to be noticeable and a key sign that something has gone wrong.
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Any alteration in vision, such as blurring or double vision, is a severe symptom of botched upper blepharoplasty and should be considered serious and addressed immediately.
Botched lower eyelid surgery
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Ectropion refers to the outward turning of the lower eyelid, exposing the inner eyelid and causing irritation. This can result from excessive removal of tissue or incorrect surgical techniques.
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Alterations in the tear drainage system can be caused during negligent lower eyelid surgery, leading to dry eyes or excessive tearing.
Botched double eyelid surgery
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Botched double eyelid surgery can result in improperly formed or irregularly shaped eyelid creases.
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If you experience a lack of sensation around the surgical area for an extended period, this may indicate nerve damage.
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The inability to close the eyes fully post-surgery can be a significant issue and may result from excessive tissue removal.
Patients who have suffered medical negligence may have to get corrective surgery, which can be expensive in many cases - especially if they have had multiple eyelid surgeries on different parts of the eye. Filing a claim can help to cover the costs of this, and if you have suffered from double eyelid surgery gone wrong, you could be entitled to even more.
How do I know if I can make an eyelid surgery claim?
The surgeons and clinics responsible for carrying out blepharoplasty procedures have a duty of care to ensure patients’ safety and wellbeing. This means they operate with a high degree of accountability, as botched eyelid surgeries can result in significant and long-lasting physical and psychological damage.
As such, clinics and surgeons are not only responsible for managing all of the potential risk factors that would be classed as reasonably preventable but also for giving their patients information about any potentially unpreventable complications, allowing the patient to give informed consent.
If you feel that your clinic or surgeon has not fulfilled this duty of care, you may be eligible to make a claim for eyelid surgery compensation.
What is the process of making an eyelid surgery claim?
If you have had eyelid surgery that has gone wrong due to medical negligence, the first step is to get in touch with our team. We will assess your case and let you know whether you are eligible to make an eyelid surgery claim.
If you are eligible and choose to pursue the claim then we will review your clinical records that detail your eyelid surgery. Following this, we will arrange for an independent, specialist surgeon to discuss the surgery with you and prepare a report on this. With the report, we will be able to determine the level of physical damage you have suffered as a direct result of negligence. The report will help us to determine how much compensation you could be awarded for your botched eyelid surgery.
The next step following this will be to get in touch with the surgeon responsible for the procedure. This is an opportunity for the negligent professional to accept responsibility for the botched procedure, and they have up to four months to respond to this.
If they do not respond or accept responsibility, the next stage is normally to commence court proceedings. However, the vast majority of clinical negligence cases are resolved before this becomes necessary.
Will I need to attend court for my eyelid surgery compensation claim?
While it is not uncommon for some cases to require court appearances, the vast majority of medical negligence claims are settled outside of court. Our solicitors always strive for the smoothest and most stress-free resolution for our clients, negotiating effectively with the other party. However, in instances where a court appearance is required, we will provide comprehensive support and guidance to ensure that you are fully prepared for any eventuality.
Is there a time limit on making an eyelid surgery compensation claim?
The law in England states that a person has up to three years to make a medical negligence claim, including eyelid surgery claims. This time period begins from when you underwent the surgery, or the date on which you realised (or ought to have realised) the eyelid surgery had gone wrong. There is a period of time following the surgery when you are healing, so it may not be immediately obvious whether the symptoms you are experiencing are a normal part of the healing process, or whether it is a sign that something has gone wrong.
If you have had eyelid surgery go wrong, we would urge you to get in touch with us promptly, so we can start the eyelid surgery claims process as soon as possible.
How long will the claims process take?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to give an exact length of time for how long an eyelid surgery claim will take. Each case is unique and there are many variables that can affect the length of time before a successful claim is made. Once you start your claim with Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, your dedicated lawyer will be able to assess your case and then discuss the possible timescales involved with you.
Rest assured, no matter what the details of your case are, our solicitors will ensure that your case proceeds as quickly and as efficiently as possible in order to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
See the full claims process here.
How much compensation could I claim for negligent eyelid surgery?
The amount of compensation you could secure for an eyelid surgery claim depends upon the unique circumstances of your situation. Compensation is determined by examining the severity of the injury, the circumstances in which it occurred and any financial losses you have incurred as a result of the botched procedure.
As a rough guide, compensation for your physical and psychological injuries could amount to up to circa £50,000 or more and, in addition, you could recover your financial losses including the costs of any corrective surgery or therapy and loss of earnings.
Can I claim compensation for both physical and psychological damages related to eyelid surgery?
When assessing a claim for compensation, consideration is given to both physical and psychological impacts caused by the negligent surgery. Physical damages are typically related to the adverse effects of the procedure, like scarring or ongoing discomfort. Psychological damages could include emotional trauma, anxiety or depression resulting from the physical damages or the experience of the procedure itself. We work closely with our clients to ensure all aspects of their ordeal are considered while claiming compensation.
How much does it cost to make an eyelid surgery claim?
The fee we charge you for making an eyelid surgery claim totals a maximum of 30% of the damages recovered, which includes a success fee and unrecovered costs. Because of our no win, no fee arrangement, you will not have to pay our fees if your case does not succeed.
Why should I choose Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors?
We pride ourselves on offering a sympathetic, straightforward and professional approach to all cosmetic surgery negligence claims.
Although it may feel daunting to start a claim for eyelid surgery gone wrong, we are leaders in the field with over 15 years of experience in this specialist area of medical negligence. Our lawyers have dealt with hundreds of negligent cosmetic surgery cases and have secured over £10 million for our clients so far.
As soon as you begin the process for blepharoplasty compensation, our solicitors will be available to you around the clock. We will handle everything for you and keep you in the loop so you can rest assured that you are in good hands.
How can making a claim help?
If you have suffered an impact on your quality of life as a result of blepharoplasty complications, then it may be worth pursuing a legal claim. In our experience, compensation can transform the lives of those who have been left with physical and psychological pain when eyelid surgery goes wrong.
Not only can financial recompense contribute to the cost of reconstructive surgery and further treatment, but it can also alleviate some of the financial burden resulting from being unable to work due to the botched eyelid surgery.
If you'd like to find out more about your legal rights, read our report: Cosmetic Surgery: Knowing Your Rights if Something Goes Wrong.
Additionally, if you have suffered further eye surgery negligence, visit our Eye Bag Surgery Claims page for more information about further compensation that you could be entitled to.
FAQs about botched eyelid surgery claims
How long does it take to recover from upper eyelid surgery?
There are a range of factors that can affect blepharoplasty; upper eyelid recovery can vary from person to person depending on various factors such as age, overall health and the specifics of the surgical procedure itself. Your doctor will be able to inform you of your circumstances when you seek medical help, which you should do as soon as possible.
Do I need to get revision eyelid surgery?
If you have suffered from a botched eyelid procedure, you may be considering revision surgery. In many cases, this can help to improve the function and look of your eyelid. However, it is important to note that revision surgery can be expensive and comes with risks, just like any other surgery. Before making your decision, make sure to consult a medical professional and find a surgeon who is trustworthy - avoid making the same mistake of working with a surgeon who has a chance of letting you down. If you are worried about the costs of your revision eyelid surgery, claiming compensation can help.
Contact Us Today
If you have experienced problems following eyelid surgery and think they are the result of negligence, talk to our expert cosmetic surgery negligence team today. Call 0808 271 6219 or request a callback by completing the contact form.