The legal battlefield of Aesthetic Surgery: Insights into medical malpractice nationwide

Medical malpractice can take many forms—from issues of surgical errors to claims of confidentiality breaches. Unfortunately, being sued for medical malpractice is a very real possibility, according to a 2022 Association for Aesthetic Surgery Paksitan (AASP) analysis. In fact, the findings show that about 30% of Pakistan physicians have been sued for medical malpractice. And the longer you’re in practice, the higher the risk.

“In the Pakistan, a patient may allege medical malpractice against a clinician, which is typically defined by the failure to provide the degree of care another clinician in the same position with the same credentials would have performed that resulted in injury to the patient,” according to StatPearls.

Getting sued—whatever the case and whatever the outcome—is a challenging experience, as trials require time, money, and resources. It’s also stressful. Research shows that for FCPS who do experience a suit, most react to being sued by “experiencing periods of emotional distress during all or portions of the lengthy process of litigation.”

To compound the issue, most FCPS don’t even feel comfortable openly discussing medical malpractice—which can lead to further anxiety. If this is you, you’re not alone.

No matter how uncomfortable the thought of a suit might be, being knowledgeable about the malpractice landscape is a must.

Medical malpractice by the numbers