In a landmark ruling, the High Court has awarded £250,000 in damages to a 36-year-old woman who suffered severe complications following a breast augmentation surgery gone wrong.
The woman, who remains anonymous and hails from west Belfast, underwent the procedure at a private clinic near Birmingham in 2009. According to her legal team, the implants were inappropriate in size and subsequently ruptured, leading to infections and extensive scarring. Despite having the implants removed two years later, she continued to experience complications, necessitating multiple corrective surgeries over the next decade.
Due to the severity of the scarring and alleged psychiatric adjustment disorder stemming from the botched surgery, medical experts provided testimony on her behalf during the legal proceedings. The case involved a claim against the surgeon, Dr Marcos Sforza, and a private healthcare firm that reportedly went into administration during the course of the 10-year litigation.
Reflecting on her ordeal, the woman expressed the profound impact the surgeries had on her life since she was just 21 at the time of the initial procedure. She described enduring years of physical and emotional distress, including a significant blow to her self-confidence and strained personal relationships.
After exploring various options and undergoing further research, she opted to have corrective surgery in Turkey, where she finally found implants that met her expectations and needs.
“My confidence has been knocked so much,” she shared. “It affected my relationship with my partner and even when I took my son swimming, I didn’t want to wear a bikini.”
Following a detailed assessment and subsequent hearings, the High Court concluded on the compensation amount, taking into account the extensive physical and psychological trauma the woman endured over the years.
The ruling serves as a significant decision highlighting the importance of patient safety and appropriate medical practices in cosmetic surgery. It underscores the legal recourse available to individuals who suffer harm due to medical negligence in such procedures.