When you schedule a routine cosmetic procedure, you put a lot of trust in the hands of medical professionals. You certainly do not expect anything to go seriously wrong. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened to a local woman. As reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC), 54-year-old Icilma Cornelius was left with serious brain damage after a routine cosmetic procedure went wrong. Sadly, it happened just weeks before her wedding. Alarmingly, the plastic surgeon at the heart of the case has faced malpractice claims before. In this article, our Georgia medical malpractice lawyers provide a more comprehensive overview of the case and explain the options for victims of botched cosmetic procedures.
Georgia Woman Suffer Brain Damage After Failed Routine Cosmetic Operation
54-year-old Icilma Cornelius was just weeks away from her wedding. She was eagerly anticipating the occasion. With only a bit of time left to wait, she sought cosmetic care at Dr. Windell Boutte’s medical spa. The practice was located in Lilburn, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. To start, Ms. Cornelius only wanted to get Botox and other relatively non-invasive anti-wrinkle treatments. However, she was persuaded by the plastic surgeon to undergo additional cosmetic surgery that was focused on flatten her abdomen. Notably, Dr. Boutte, who was a board-certified dermatologist in Georgia, advertised her facility as a premier destination for aesthetic procedures.
Unfortunately, things went very wrong during the operation. There was an extensive eight-hour surgery. Dr. Cornelius suffered cardiac arrest during the procedure. It quickly became clear that the clinic lacked the appropriate emergency equipment. That it was ill-prepared for a crisis put Ms. Cornelius at very serious risk. While the Staff initiated CPR and called 911 for emergency assistance, the patient still suffered major complications ensued. With some concern for an infection risk, Dr. Boutte hastily sutured Cornelius’s wounds. There were even more delays when paramedics discovered the stretcher could not fit into the clinic’s too-small elevator. Sadly, by the time that Ms. Cornelius finally reached a local hospital, she had already sustained severe brain damage.
Plastic Surgeon has Faced Several Previous Medical Malpractice Claims
According to a report from the Ledger-Enquirer, the plastic surgeon who was responsible for the care that led to the patient’s traumatic brain injury (TBI) has faced several previous medical malpractice claims. Notably, Dr. Boutte has gained some local notoriety for recording herself and sharing videos of herself dancing and singing in the operating room on social media. Alarmingly, in some cases, she did so with surgical instruments in hand and with patients’ bodies visible. These videos—which were intended for promotional purposes—raised serious concerns about both professionalism and the well-being of patients. Dr. Boutte claimed the videos were staged.
With that being said, the tragic incident with Ms. Cornelius was not isolated. Quite the contrary, there were already multiple other malpractice lawsuits that had been filed against Dr. Boutte. Among other things, these other medical malpractice claims alleged negligence, unprofessional conduct, and the use of unqualified staff during procedures. An investigation revealed that some staff members lacked proper medical credentials. Further, an investigation found that the facility was neither accredited nor equipped to handle surgical emergencies. Eventually, after several complaints, the Georgia Composite Medical Board suspended Dr. Boutte’s medical license.
Can You Bring a Medical Malpractice Claim for Cosmetic Surgery Gone Wrong?
Yes. You can bring a medical malpractice claim for cosmetic surgery gone wrong in Georgia. Plastic surgeons are licensed medical professionals. They are responsible for providing patients with a reasonable standard of care. If they fail to do so, they can absolutely be held liable for their negligence. With that being said, there are specific requirements that you need to meet in order to bring a successful medical malpractice lawsuit for a botched cosmetic operation in Georgia:
- Duty of Care: To start, a doctor-patient relationship must have been established. The surgeon must have had a legal obligation to provide competent medical care.
- Breach of Duty: The surgeon failed to follow the recognized standard of care. In other words, the plastic surgeon must have been negligent in some manner.
- Causation: The breach directly caused harm to the patient. Without causation between the negligence and the patient harm, there is no medical malpractice.
- Damages: Finally, you, as the patient, must prove that you suffered harm due to the medical malpractice. It could be physical injury, emotional distress, or other complications.
In Georgia, medical malpractice claims must typically be filed within two years from the date the injury was discovered (or should have been discovered) but no later than five years from the date the malpractice occurred. Through a successful medical malpractice lawsuit against a cosmetic surgeon, a patient may be entitled to compensation for emergency medical care, hospital bills, lost wages, loss of earning power, pain and suffering, and other types of damages.
Why Trust the Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Chance, Forlines, Carter & King
Medical malpractice claims are complicated. If you went for a routine cosmetic operation, the absolute last thing you expect is that something will go wrong or that you will face a serious injury. Medical professionals—including cosmetic surgeons—must be held accountable for negligence. At Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, we are committed to putting the rights and the interests of patients first. With millions in compensation recovered for clients, our verdicts and settlements tell the story. A consultation with our Georgia medical malpractice lawyer is free and fully confidential.
Contact Our Georgia Medical Malpractice Attorney Today
At Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, our Georgia medical malpractice attorneys are committed to fighting for justice for patients. If you or your loved one suffered any type of medical complications due to a botched routine cosmetic procedure, we are here to help. Give us a call now or contact us online for a free, no obligation initial consultation. With offices in Atlanta and Augusta, we handle botched cosmetic surgery medical malpractices claims throughout Georgia.