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Personal Injury

Plastic Surgery Malpractice

When cosmetic surgery goes wrong, the results can be disfiguring, disabling or fatal. Aronfeld Trial Lawyers represents patients harmed by negligent plastic and cosmetic surgery across South Florida. Marie Claire called Spencer Aronfeld “the go-to guy for plastic surgery malpractice.”

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Why Aronfeld
  • $169M+recovered for our clients*
  • 35+years representing injured people
  • Board
    Certified
    in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar
  • $0No Recovery. No Fee.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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Why so many cosmetic surgeries go wrong in Florida

Florida allows any licensed physician to perform cosmetic procedures, even if they are not trained or board certified in plastic surgery. Florida also does not require every doctor to carry malpractice insurance. Add high-volume “deal” clinics and patients traveling in for quick procedures, and South Florida sees far too many surgeries go wrong.

Common plastic surgery malpractice cases

  • Brazilian butt lift (BBL) complications, including fat embolism
  • Liposuction injuries such as organ perforation, burns and contour deformities
  • Tummy tuck infections, wound breakdown and tissue death
  • Breast augmentation and reduction errors
  • Facelift and eyelid surgery nerve damage
  • Anesthesia errors in office-based surgery
  • Poor follow-up care, including discharge to unlicensed recovery houses

Malpractice or a known risk?

Every surgery has risks, and a bad result is not always malpractice. You generally have to show the surgeon or facility fell below the accepted standard of care and that this caused your injury. Signing a consent form does not give a doctor permission to be negligent.

Florida’s medical malpractice rules

Florida medical malpractice cases have special requirements:

  • Deadline: generally two years from when you knew or should have known about the injury, and in most cases no more than four years from the procedure.
  • Presuit investigation: before filing, your lawyer must investigate, obtain a written opinion from a qualified medical expert, and send the doctor a notice of intent.
  • 90-day presuit period: the doctor and insurer get 90 days to review the claim before a lawsuit can be filed.

Because this process takes time, it is important to call a lawyer early.

How to choose a cosmetic surgeon safely

  • Check the doctor’s license and any discipline on the Florida Department of Health website.
  • Ask whether the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
  • Find out where the surgery will happen, and whether the office or surgery center is properly registered and accredited.
  • Ask who will give anesthesia and who will monitor you afterward.
  • Be cautious of deep discounts, pressure to book quickly, and surgeons you meet only on the day of surgery.

How we can help

We get your records, have them reviewed by independent medical professionals, and handle Florida’s presuit process for you. Spencer Aronfeld is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar. Consultations are free and confidential, and we work on a contingency fee: No Recovery. No Fee. Se habla español.

Call 866-597-4529 or send us a message.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What counts as plastic surgery malpractice?

It happens when a surgeon or facility fails to meet the accepted standard of care and a patient is harmed, for example through surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, infection from unsafe practices or inadequate follow-up care.

Is a bad cosmetic result always malpractice?

No. An unsatisfying result is not automatically malpractice. The question is whether the care fell below the accepted standard and caused harm.

How long do I have to file in Florida?

Generally two years from when the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, with an outer limit of four years from the procedure in most cases.

What has to happen before a lawsuit can be filed?

Florida requires a pre-suit investigation, including a written opinion from a qualified medical expert and a notice period before filing.

How much does it cost to hire Aronfeld Trial Lawyers?

Nothing up front. Aronfeld Trial Lawyers works on a contingency fee: No Recovery. No Fee. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

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