Woman sues for personal injury compensation over Belgian face-lift
A woman from Wales whose face has been left permanently scarred following cosmetic surgery in Belgium is suing their UK clinic for personal injury compensation.
The 42 year old woman is bringing a case against Elyzea Cosmetic Surgery Group after having a face-lift and eye surgery in 2005.
The woman, who requests that she remains anonymous, says that she is left with permanent and visible scarring around her eyes and ears, as well as nerve damage, and is now too embarrassed to be seen in public.
The surgeon behind the botched operation is believed to hold complaints from 24 patients. Even so, the clinic, which also has offices in London and Manchester, denies liability.
A spokeswoman for the clinic said that because the surgery took place in Belgium, it is subject to Belgium legislation, which makes the surgeon himself legally responsible for the personal injury compensation claim.
The woman argues that as she first received consultation from a surgeon in Elyzea’s London clinic that they are responsible, especially as they failed to warn her of the risks and possible nerve damage, which she claims to also now suffer from.
The case is being watched closely as it could pave the way for other patients in similar situations to sue in the UK rather than clinics abroad. UK personal injury compensation payouts are often larger.