Breast Surgery Negligence

What is a breast surgery claim?

Breast surgery is a common type of cosmetic surgery that is sometimes required for medical reasons, but most often for cosmetic reasons to improve the look of the breasts.

When performing breast surgery, your medical provider or the manufacturer of the implant has a duty of care to keep patients safe from injury.

If this is not upheld and you suffer harm, then it is classed as medical negligence and you are entitled to claim compensation for what you’ve been through.

In cases such as the Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) scandal where thousands of women’s breast implants ruptured, it can be frightening.

PIP breast implants were withdrawn in the UK in 2010 after it had been found that they were manufactured using unapproved silicone gel.

What are the different types of breast surgery?

Breast surgery can come in many different forms, including:

• Enlargements

Breast enlargements, also referred to as breast augmentation, are often done for cosmetic reasons, and the procedure is usually performed by a private provider. Implants are usually inserted to change the size and shape of the breasts.

• Reconstructions

Reconstruction of the breasts is usually performed when a person has damaged or had major surgery on their breasts, such as after breast cancer.

• Reductions

Breast reductions – when the breasts are made smaller – are done for both medical and cosmetic reasons.

• Uplifts

A breast uplift is often performed for cosmetic reasons, to give you more confidence and improve the look of your breasts.

The most common type of cosmetic breast surgery in the UK is breast augmentation surgery.

The two types of implants most widely used in the UK are silicone and saline. Silicone implants usually come in the form of a liquid or gel, and saline implants are usually made up of a sterilised saline solution.

Whether you have breast surgery for cosmetic or medical reasons, all healthcare providers and professionals have a duty of care to you.

IIf they neglect their duty of care, then they could be putting your health at risk and cause you serious harm and emotional trauma.

What type of mistakes cause medical negligence in breast surgery?

There are many reasons why breast surgery could go wrong. The most common reasons are usually:

• A surgical error
• Administering the wrong dosage of anaesthetic
• Use of faulty medical equipment
• Using faulty implants

As well as mistakes being made during the surgery, if a medical professional fails to spot the signs of infection post-surgery, this could also be medical negligence.

Most common conditions caused by negligent breast surgery

Several issues can occur as a result of a botched breast surgery caused by medical negligence. These health conditions are usually quite serious and will need treatment as soon as possible. They include:

• Capsular contracture

This happens when scar tissue shrinks and squeezes the implant, making it feel hard and painful.

• Creasing and folding

Kinks, folds, and creases in the skin can appear on the breast post-surgery.

• Gel bleeds

Parts of the silicone molecules could get into lymph nodes around the breast, causing pain and swelling.

• Haematoma

Haematoma is when bleeding occurs inside the breast issue because of the implant. Surgery is usually required within 24 hours of the bleeding starting.

• Infections

As with all surgeries, there is a risk of infection. Your implant will need to be removed if this occurs and your infection will need treatment as soon as possible.

• Lack of nipple sensation or oversensitivity

You should visit your GP within six months if your nipples have become painfully sensitive or lost all sensation after breast surgery.

• Ruptures

Implants can sometimes rupture and cause swelling, pain, tenderness, and redness around the breast region.

This could lead to gel bleeds or siliconomas, so it is best to seek medical attention as soon as you can.

• Scarring

After any type of surgery, scarring will often be left, which may become less prominent over time.

However, some scarring can become lumpy and red and will often require a check-up by a GP.

• Seroma

This is when fluid builds up around the implant, often requiring draining in severe circumstances.

• Siliconomas

Siliconomas are small lumps of silicone that can spread around the breast area and get into the muscles and lymph nodes within your breast, armpits, nerves, and lymph glands.

They can cause serious health issues if left untreated.

• Uneven shape

An uneven shape in your breasts may lower your self-esteem due to them looking uneven or lumpy.

Your nipples may also appear lopsided, as a result of medical negligence.

• Wounds

Wounds may be caused by your stitches coming apart, which can cause infections ­­– so it’s important to get them looked at as soon as you can.

How to begin a breast surgery claim

If you believe negligent breast surgery has caused you to suffer any of these health problems, you may be entitled to make a claim.

You can start by giving us at First4Lawyers a call and our sympathetic and caring advisors will listen to all the details surrounding your case and let you know whether they believe you have a

If we think you do, then we will pair you with one of our expert solicitors, with years of experience in dealing with medical negligence cases.

Is there a time limit for me to make a claim?

We advise that it is best to make a cosmetic surgery claim as soon as you can so that all information is fresh in your mind and evidence is easy to get hold of.

You have up to three years to begin your claim from the moment you discovered that negligence caused your health issues.

If you are unsure of anything, then we are always here to help, so give us a call.

How much compensation will I receive?

We understand that money isn’t everything, but it can help to pay for any additional surgery and treatment you may need.

You may also be able to claim compensation to cover any lost wages from having to take time off work.

The exact amount of compensation you receive depends on how severe your pain and suffering has been.

All breast surgery claims cover general damages – which compensate you financially for the pain and suffering you have been through.

Special damages also allow you to claim back any costs you have built up from travelling to medical appointments and any financial losses you may have had from taking time off work.

If you want to work out what you could receive in general damages, then use our simple compensation calculator.

How will I pay for my breast surgery claim?

We want to help people as much as possible at First4Lawyers, and this applies to the cost of getting the best legal help and advice.

Our No Win No Fee service makes starting a claim risk-free and affordable because you won’t have to pay anything if your claim is unsuccessful.

If the claim is successful, your solicitor’s success fee will always be capped at 25% of your final compensation amount.

All costs will be explained to you before you start your claim. This means that you may have a lot to gain, and nothing to lose.

Our helpful and knowledgeable advisors will explain all the details of our No Win No Fee service to you when you call us.

How can First4Lawyers help you?

As well as having compassionate advisors and offering an affordable No Win No Fee service, we have expert solicitors to handle your claim and help you to get the justice and compensation you deserve.

When you feel ready, just give us a call, start your claim online, or request a callback.