Making a Botox claim
What is Botox?
Botox is used to alleviate wrinkles in the face so as to produce a younger appearance.
A Botox injection was originally a rare and exclusive procedure, but over the years the cost of Botox has fallen significantly and this has resulted in its widespread use.
Although Botox treatment is generally regarded as safe there are issues that arise which can lead to a number of medical complications. If you have suffered an injury from a Botox procedure then you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
What is the procedure?
Botox, or Botulinum toxin, is composed of a neurotoxin. It is injected into the neuromuscular tissue of the face, blocking a chemical that causes muscle contraction. In effect Botox triggers temporary muscle paralysis.
What can go wrong?
Despite the increasing popularity of Botox, serious complications can arise. These can include the following:
- Scarring and disfigurement;
- Frozen muscles;
- Blurred vision;
- Eating difficulties;
- Headaches;
- Facial disfigurement;
- Breathing problems;
- Swelling;
- Allergic reactions;
- Loss of speech; and
- Drooping of the facial muscles.
Read our article ‘When Botox and fillers go wrong‘ for further details
Do I have a Botox claim?
To bring a Botox claim for compensation we will need to establish that someone was at fault and their error resulted in your injury. Was too much Botox injected, for instance, or was it injected into the wrong area?
Legal liability might also arise if the beautician or doctor who administered the injection failed to make you aware of the known risks associated with the procedure.
Practitioners often ask customers to sign a disclaimer before proceeding, but this does not mean that they will not have to pay compensation if an error is made.
How much is my Botox claim worth?
The courts have given general guidance on the compensation that victims can expect to receive. However, the following figures are nothing more than a ballpark estimate of what can be awarded. Each case needs to be individually assessed and it is important to remember that in addition to claiming compensation for the ‘pain and suffering’ of the injury itself, a claimant is also entitled to claim their financial losses. This might include lost earnings or the cost of any medical treatment to put the problem right.
| Injuries suffered | Compensation | Description of injury |
| Minor injuries | A few hundred pounds-£600 | Complete recovery within 7 days |
| Minor injuries | £600-£1,200 | Complete recovery within 28 days |
| Minor injuries | £1,200-£2,150 | Complete recovery within 3 months |
| Dermatitis and other skin conditions | £1,500-£3,460 | An individual may experience Itching, irritation and/or rashes but once treatment is administered it resolves within a few months |
| Less Severe psychological injury | £1,350-£5,130 | The amount of compensation provided will be determined by the extent to which sleep, and daily activities were affected, as well as the length of the period of disability. |
| Moderate psychological injury | £5,130-£16,720 | An individual may have experience issues with regards to future vulnerability, their relationships, and their ability to cope with work and life. |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | £3,460-£20,290 | An individual will make a full recovery within one to two years and only minor symptoms will persist over any longer period |
| Minor scarring | £1,500-£3,090 | Trivial scarring |
| More significant scarring | £3,460-£12,050
|
One scar which can be camouflaged or a number of small scars – not likely to affect appearance. |
| Very severe scarring with some psychological reaction | £26,120-£85,340 | Where the worse effects have been or will be reduced by plastic surgery (typically in teens to early 30s) and the psychological reaction is severe. |
| Minor eye injuries with blurred vision | £3,460-£7,650 | An individual may have minor injuries, exposure to fumes, or some temporary interference with vision |
| Total loss of speech | £96,150-£123,310 | Where total loss of speech has occurred at an early age. |
| Facial disfigurement | £26,120-£85,340 | In relatively young claimants (typically teens to early 30s), where the cosmetic effect is very disfiguring and the psychological reaction severe. |
How we can help with your Botox claim
We specialise in dealing with beauty treatment claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that if your Botox claim is not successful then you will not incur any legal costs. Legal costs only become payable if you win your case and we can usually claim most of those fees from the other side.
If you wish to make a Botox claim, contact the award-winning beauty treatment lawyer Carly Sylvester for a free case assessment on 0333 888 0437 or send us an email at [email protected]