Rhinoplasty is a procedure used to alter the shape or size of the nose. Also known as a nose job, rhinoplasty has become quite a common cosmetic procedure over the years and has become more affordable. While many patients are happy with the outcome of their treatment, mistakes during surgery can result in serious problems. Importantly, if you have received injuries as a consequence of negligence during a rhinoplasty (nose job) procedure you may be eligible to claim rhinoplasty compensation.

Our team of specialists is here to help if you are thinking about taking action. During a no-obligation consultation, they’ll explain how rhinoplasty compensation claims work, review your case and explain what options may be available. If there’s a fair chance you’ll be compensated, they’ll ask a medical negligence solicitor from our team to speak with you. If they agree to represent you, your rhinoplasty compensation claim will be handled on a No Win No Fee basis. Therefore, you won’t pay solicitor’s fees unless you’re awarded compensation.

To find out more about how the rhinoplasty compensation claims process works, please read on. If you’d rather speak with us right away, please call on 0800 6524 881 today.

What Is A Rhinoplasty Procedure?

Rhinoplasty is a procedure performed by a surgeon to change the shape of the nose. Patients may decide to have a nose job to alter the look of their nose, improve their breathing or both.

The nose consists of skin, cartilage and bone. All three can be adjusted during surgery depending on the required outcome.

Rhinoplasty might be required to remove a birth defect, rectify facial damage following an accident, change the proportion of the nose or improve breathing for medical reasons. As such, a nose job could be performed by the NHS if necessary as well as private medical providers. The solicitors on our panel could help with claims against both.

All surgeons that carry out rhinoplasty procedures have a duty of care towards their patient’s welfare. That means that they must:

• Consider other forms of treatment and the patient’s medical history before suggesting a nose job.
• Explain the known risks of rhinoplasty before surgery.
• Follow the correct procedures during surgery.
• Conduct regular checkups post-procedure to look for any signs or problems.

If the surgeon fails to meet their duty of care and you suffer following a rhinoplasty procedure, you could have grounds to claim compensation.

Am I Eligible To Make A Rhinoplasty Compensation Claim?

Before a medical negligence solicitor will start a rhinoplasty compensation claim, they’ll check whether:

• The surgeon provided a substandard level of care during a rhinoplasty procedure (negligence); and
• You’ve suffered as a direct result of that negligence (causation).

It’s important to state that both criteria must be met if you’re to win a medical negligence claim. As solicitors don’t have medical training, the process of assessing whether a surgeon has been negligent will be determined by other medical professionals as part of the rhinoplasty claims process. If they believe they’d have acted differently to your surgeon, you could have grounds to be compensated for any subsequent suffering.

I Signed A Waiver Before My Nose Job Can I Still Claim Compensation?

Many people think that a waiver or consent form prevents them from claiming compensation for mistakes made during a nose job. However, that’s not always the case.

A waiver does not protect the surgeon if they have acted negligently during treatment. It is simply a way of them recording the fact that you have been told about what treatment you’ll receive and that any known risks have been explained.

Please call our specialists if you have any concerns so they can check the contents of your waiver for free.

Common Causes Of Rhinoplasty Compensation Claims

Some of the most common types of negligence that could lead to rhinoplasty compensation claims include:

• Lack of precautionary measures.
• Clinical mistakes during surgery.
• A failure to explain the risks of the procedure.
• Poor hygiene during surgery.
• Lack of guidance regarding aftercare.

If you believe you’ve suffered following negligence during a nose job, please call to find out if one of our solicitors could help you claim compensation.

Common Injuries From Botched Nose Jobs

The types of injuries that can occur following negligence during a rhinoplasty procedure include:

It’s important to note that rhinoplasty compensation claims cannot usually be made for common side effects such as numbness, a blocked nose, soreness, swelling and bruising provided these have been explained to you prior to surgery.

How Much Compensation For A Botched Nose Job Could I Claim?

If you make a successful claim for a botched nose job, it could include compensation to cover:

• Any physical pain and suffering following surgery and any ongoing physical symptoms.
• Embarrassment, stress, depression and other forms of mental harm.
• Any negative impact your injuries have on your social life or hobbies.
• Any income you’ve lost because of your injuries.
• The cost of remedial medical treatment.
• The cost of a carer or the time a friend or family member spent caring for you.
• Travel expenses.
• Future loss of earnings if your injuries reduce your earning capacity i.e. if you’re a model and you lose work as a result of your injuries.

If you make a rhinoplasty compensation claim with one of the medical negligence solicitors on our panel, they’ll work with you to fully understand how you’ve been affected by your injuries. They’ll then do all they can to secure the maximum level of compensation possible.

Compensation Amounts For Rhinoplasty Gone Wrong

Each rhinoplasty compensation claim is unique as each claimant will have been affected differently. Therefore, it’s not possible to provide exact compensation figures until your injuries have been assessed properly. However, we have added guideline payouts for injuries that may occur as a result of a botched rhinoplasty below:

• Relatively minor facial scarring as a consequence of rhinoplasty can attract compensation from £1,710 and £3,530.
• Significant scarring towards the lower end of the scale, which can often be camouflaged and is not always visible, can lead to compensation from £3,950 and £13,74.
• Significant scarring where additional plastic surgery may be required, still leaving a potential cosmetic disability, but the scars are still visible from conversation distance tend to attract compensation from £9,110 up to £30,090.
• Severe scarring towards the lower end of the scale will attract compensation anywhere between £17,960 to £48,420. In this instance, there is likely to be a form of permanent disfigurement as well as psychological challenges.
• Very severe scarring leading to extreme disfigurement even after corrective plastic surgery attracts the highest rate of compensation from £29,780 up to £97,330. Compensation towards the higher end of the range is generally awarded to those in their younger years.

These figures should be used as guidance only at this point as you could be awarded a different amount if your claim is successful.

Evidence To Support A Rhinoplasty Compensation Claim

Your solicitor will use evidence to try and prove how you suffered and why the surgeon that treated you was responsible. This can include:

• Personal statement. A statement from you about how your injuries have affected you.
• Correspondence. Emails or letters you received regarding your surgery before and after you were treated.
• Complaint responses. Responses to any complaint/s you might have raised about the surgery.
• Medical records. Your medical records from before and after your rhinoplasty procedure.
• Witness statements. Statements from anybody such as family and friends who were with you at your consultation to clarify what outcome was expected.
• Photos/videos. Before and after photographs or videos of your nose job.
• Receipts. Evidence such as receipts, bank statements etc of any expenses you’ve racked up or income you’ve lost as a result of your rhinoplasty surgery.
• Independant medical report. Any independent medical reports to help prove the extent of your injuries could also be used as evidence.

Your solicitor will work with you to secure evidence on your behalf. If you’re able to collect any prior to starting a claim, please give us a call if you’d like us to review it for free as part of your initial consultation.

Time Limits For Claiming Rhinoplasty Compensation

In most cases, you’ll have 3-years to make a rhinoplasty compensation claim. This will begin from:

• The date of your nose job; or
• The date any subsequent injuries were diagnosed by a medical professional and linked to your surgery.

It is often a good idea to begin the rhinoplasty claim as soon as you can. That should make it easier to collect supporting evidence (see below) and for medical reports to be arranged. Also, if you’re still in pain or suffering in any way, and your solicitor thinks it will help your recovery, they may request that the defendant provides an interim payment so that you can receive private medical treatment while your claim is being processed.

Please call if you’d like to double-check how long you have left to make a rhinoplasty claim.

How Long Does A Rhinoplasty Compensation Claim Take To Settle?

The length of time it takes to process a rhinoplasty compensation claim can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including:

• The complexity of the rhinoplasty claim.
• The extent of the injuries sustained.
• The strength of the evidence obtained.
• Whether liability is disputed by the defendant.

Generally, the process of making a rhinoplasty compensation claim from start to finish may take anywhere from several months to a year or longer.

If you speak with an experienced medical negligence solicitor from our team they may be able to provide you with an estimated timeline based on your particular situation.

No Win No Fee Rhinoplasty Claims

Medical negligence solicitors understand that the cost of legal representation might put you off from claiming. Therefore, those on our panel operate on a No Win No Fee basis if your rhinoplasty claim is accepted.

That means that:

• There are no upfront legal fees to pay.
• You won’t have to pay legal fees if your rhinoplasty claim fails.
• A success fee will be deducted from your compensation if your claim is won and a settlement is paid.

Your solicitor will provide a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) for you to sign with all of the necessary information before your claim begins.

Starting The Rhinoplasty Compensation Claims Process

If you would like to begin a rhinoplasty compensation claim, please call our advice centre on 0800 6524 881 today. A specialist advisor will go through your options with you and check whether your case is strong enough.

If they believe it is, they’ll partner you with a medical negligence solicitor who’ll represent you on a No Win No Fee basis if they agree to work for you. All in all, knowing you won’t pay legal fees unless you’re compensated should reduce your stress levels during the claims process.

If you’ve got any additional questions about making a rhinoplasty compensation claim, please call or use our free live chat service.