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Cosmetic Surgeries are on the rise in Ireland, Hand-in-Hand with growing risks

Published: 18 Nov, 2024
Author: Ritika
Read Time: 3 min

Cosmetic surgery can offer transformative results—but when procedures go wrong, the consequences can be devastating. If you've suffered harm due to surgical error or poor aftercare, you may have grounds for a medical negligence claim under Irish law.

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For many, cosmetic surgery are the holy grail for rejuvenated looks and a self-esteem boost. For others, the reality of undergoing a cosmetic surgery procedure can have devastating physical and emotional consequences. In Ireland, the demand for cosmetic surgery has surged over the past decade, with patients seeking a range of feature-enhancing procedures to address everything from wrinkles and skin sagging to radical body contouring. In this blog post, we explore the rise in cosmetic surgery in Ireland, the associated risks, and what to do if you or a loved one has been injured by a medical professional carrying out cosmetic surgery procedures in Ireland.

Why is demand increasing for cosmetic surgery procedures?

Cosmetic surgery in Ireland has never been more popular, thanks to the allure of enhanced beauty and youth with a variety of tweaks and tucks. According to the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons (IAPS), 89 full facelifts were performed across Ireland in 2019; by 2022, that number had increased exponentially, with one surgeon alone carrying out 223 facelifts in his surgery. Medical professionals cite a broader trend driving the surge, with factors like the increase in video calls during and after the COVID-19 pandemic leading many to feel more self-conscious about their appearance. Reality TV programs, social media, and the pressure to present a polished image online have also contributed to the rising demand for cosmetic procedures.

Who carries out cosmetic surgery procedures in Ireland?

While beauticians can administer some beauty treatments, procedures such as facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), Botox, dermal fillers, liposuction, breast augmentations or reductions, and tummy tucks should only be performed by fully qualified medical doctors with specialist experience in cosmetic surgery.

Cosmetic surgery in Ireland is mainly unregulated. There is no formal accreditation system for cosmetic surgery clinics, and as a result, some surgeries can be carried out by unqualified or inadequately trained staff, putting patient safety at risk.
Some patients opt to travel abroad for cosmetic surgery, lured by low-cost procedures often located in sunny holiday destinations. Unfortunately, this comes with a greater degree of risk; avenues for recourse in the event of complications may be limited, and the quality of care or aftercare may not match the high standard we expect in Ireland.
While cosmetic surgery may be pricier at home, it also provides the peace of mind that Irish medical professionals are bound by a duty of care to their patients, ensuring higher standards of safety, accountability, and aftercare.

What is considered medical negligence in cosmetic surgeries?

Even qualified surgeons can make mistakes. All surgery carries inherent risks and can lead to a range of complications, such as infections, scarring, nerve damage, blood clots, chemical burns, and filler migration. For many patients, the emotional toll of an error can be as severe as the physical consequences, particularly when expectations for the surgery’s outcomes are high.

All medical professionals in Ireland must deliver a certain standard of care that is expected of their profession. Medical negligence can result when a doctor fails in their duty of care and causes their patient injury or harm. Examples of medical negligence that can cause injury or harm include poor hygiene standards, improper surgical techniques, substandard equipment or implants, and inadequate aftercare. Other examples include recommending an unsuitable procedure or failing to obtain a patient’s consent.
Gibson & Associates LLP expert medical negligence solicitors are here to help you.

At Gibson & Associates LLP, we understand the devastating physical and emotional impact of an injury that can occur from cosmetic surgery. Understanding the circumstances that led to the injury and whether they are considered medical negligence under Irish law can help you process what’s happened to you and help you identify what steps to take next.

Our experienced team of medical negligence solicitors offer patients who have been injured during cosmetic surgery in-depth advice that’s specifically tailored to their circumstances. We will make sure you understand all your options and, if you need it, provide you with comprehensive support to navigate the legal process and achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.

Get in touch with one of our medical negligence solicitors today to find out more.

Author

  • Ritika Tiwari is a Digital Marketing Executive based in Dublin with over four years of experience in digital marketing, branding, and social media strategy. She began exploring the marketing industry at the age of 17 and has since developed expertise in content creation, social media campaigns, lead generation, and digital storytelling.

Medical Negligence FAQ's

Is there a time limit before engaging with a solicitor.

Legal proceedings must be commenced within two years of the date of knowledge of the injury, subject to certain exceptions. In a lawsuit, the ‘date of knowledge’ refers to the date on which the plaintiff knew or ought to have known that he or she had suffered an injury.

An important exception is in the case of persons under the age of 18, who are described in law as minors or infants. For minors, the Statute of Limitations ‘clock’ does not begin until a child reaches their eighteenth birthday. For more information see Child Injury Claims.

What will compensation cover?

Compensation for a brain injury claim may cover medical expenses, lost wages, future medical bills, future lost earnings, and will take into account the impact of the injury on the individual’s quality of life. Our brain injury solicitors assess each case thoroughly to determine an outcome that is in your best interests.

How do I access my medical records?

A copy of your medical records can be requested from the hospital, clinic, or medical professional that treated you under the Freedom of Information Act. Alternatively, we can arrange to obtain a copy of your records on your behalf; to do so, you will need to sign an authority form that gives us permission to obtain your records.

What does 'No Win, No Fee' mean?

The concept of “no win, no fee” (also known as “no foal, no fee”) is common practice among solicitors in Ireland. Under this type of agreement, the solicitor will take on your personal injury or any other type of case, and if the case isn’t won, the solicitor won’t charge you a fee. The sole purpose of “no win, no fee” is to give you the legal power to pursue a claim regardless of your financial state or legal experience.

How long will the medical negligence claim take?

As a term used in personal injury litigation, general damages refer to the amount placed on the victim’s pain and suffering, which may include psychological trauma, loss of consortium, etc. In essence, general damages relate to non-monetary losses suffered by the claimant and which are not capable of exact quantification.

The term special damages refers to monetary losses that are quantifiable, such as medical treatment expenses or income loss that has been certified. These are consequential financial losses suffered by you which are directly to the negligent treatment and harm caused.

In other words, these are ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses incurred which might also include the cost of corrective surgery or treatment, medication, rehabilitation costs, travel expenses, and so on.

Got Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have concerns or would like to understand your eligibility,get in touch with our expert team for advice [email protected]

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I am writing this review as an absolute necessity as I cannot let the work done by Gibson and associates to go by without acknowledgement. I would recommend this firm to anybody in need of legal assistance. I want to single out Ms Anna O Donoghue for a special thank you for exceptional knowledge and the professionalism needed for the complexity of these cases that we brought to Gibson and associates, Thank you Anna, we would have been lost without you. Also a massive thank you to our amazing barrister Mr John Kerr BL , unbelievable professionalism honestly and knowledge and a great result for us . Thank you all for the hard work you all did for us Sinead Ivory and the team at Gibson and associates.
Michael Waters

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