Plastic Surgery Expert Witnesses
The experience attorneys need for high-stakes cases
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. While many people use the terms “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” interchangeably, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, and the treatment of burns.
Some types of reconstructive procedures include:
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Skin grafting
- Hand surgery
- Facial reconstruction
- Mohs surgery
- Trauma reconstruction
Some types of cosmetic procedures include:
- Facelifts
- Breast augmentation
- Liposuction
- Rhinoplasty (nose job)
Plastic surgeons in the United States must hold a medical degree (MD or DO) and complete a residency in plastic surgery, which usually takes five to seven years. Board Certification in plastic surgery is administered by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). Many plastic surgeons also pursue fellowships in subspecialties like craniofacial surgery or hand surgery.
What is plastic surgery malpractice?
Like any other surgical discipline, plastic surgery malpractice can significantly affect a patient’s health. Some examples of plastic surgery malpractice include:
- Damaging nerves or organs during surgery
- Leaving foreign objects inside the patient’s body
- Failure to monitor for postoperative complications
- Performing procedures outside the scope of practice
The role of a plastic surgeon as an expert witness
In medical malpractice cases involving negligence by a plastic surgeon, a Board-Certified plastic surgeon can explain the applicable standards of care and offer their professional opinion on whether the defendant met those standards. A plastic surgeon can also opine on whether a breach of the standard of care led to the patient’s injury or other complications.
In addition, plastic surgeons are important expert witnesses in many types of personal injury cases that involve disfigurement or require reconstructive surgery, including burns, skin injuries, facial injuries, and more. A plastic surgeon can provide expert testimony regarding the nature and extent of the injury, the potential for recovery, and the expected costs associated with plastic surgery and other medical treatment. The plastic surgeon can also provide testimony regarding the necessity and reasonableness of the plastic surgery and other medical treatment provided to the plaintiff. Because of the cost of plastic surgery and the potential for complications, this can make a significant difference in the damages awarded to the plaintiff.
Contact us today to find your expert
Injuries that require reconstructive surgery can lead to complex and hard-fought legal cases. The right expert will make all the difference. Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants has been the go-to expert witness service for many of America’s leading medical malpractice and personal injury attorneys for decades, and we work as an integral part of your team from start to finish.
If you need a Board-Certified plastic surgeon for consultation, depositions, and trial testimony, look no further. Contact us for a free case summary review.