Why choose Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors?

Although starting a clinical negligence claim for eyelid surgery can feel daunting, you have come to the right place. As the first UK law firm to specialise exclusively in cosmetic surgery negligence, we bring a depth of expertise to these claims that general medical negligence firms cannot match.

We work on a no win, no fee basis, so there is no financial risk involved in getting started. Our team, led by Michael Saul, has handled hundreds of cosmetic surgery negligence claims and secured more than £10 million in compensation for clients across England and Wales. Our 'Excellent' rating onTrustpilot reflects the standard of care we bring to every case.

What is eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)?

Eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes or repositions excess skin, fat and muscle from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both. People undergo eyelid surgery for a range of reasons: some seek it for cosmetic purposes to address drooping or puffiness, while others require this treatment on medical grounds where excess skin obstructs vision or causes chronic eye health issues.

In 2021, eyelid surgery was the third most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the UK. Despite its prevalence, blepharoplasty surgery remains a medical procedure that carries recognised risks, which a surgeon is legally obligated to explain before you give your consent.

The NHS may cover upper eyelid surgery if drooping skin significantly obstructs the upper field of vision, verified through a GP referral for a visual field test. Purely cosmetic eyelid procedures are excluded from NHS funding, meaning patients often self-fund through personal loans, credit cards or financing plans.

Our full guide to what blepharoplasty involves explains the procedure, the different techniques used and what recovery typically looks like.

When eyelid surgery goes wrong

Eyelid surgery goes wrong more often than many people realise. Complications can arise from surgical errors, failures in the consent process or inadequate aftercare, and the consequences can be long-lasting. Whether you have experienced a botched blepharoplasty, problems following upper eyelid surgery, or complications with your lower eyelids, you may have grounds to make a surgery negligence claim.

Eye surgery negligence can take many forms. In some cases the issue is immediately apparent; in others, symptoms develop over the following days and weeks. If you are unsure whether what you have experienced amounts to negligence, our team can assess your case and advise you on your options.

We have set out the most common problems after blepharoplasty and the point at which a poor outcome may amount to negligence.

What are the signs my eyelid surgery has gone wrong?

Following eyelid surgery, some discomfort, swelling, bruising, and itchy or watery eyes in the days that follow are to be expected. These symptoms typically resolve within several weeks. When they persist beyond the normal recovery period, or when more serious complications arise, this may indicate that something has gone wrong.

If you are concerned about how your eyes are healing, our guide to the signs of infection after blepharoplasty and prolonged swelling explain what is normal and what is not.

Signs that your eyelid surgery may have been negligently performed include:

While some complications can arise despite appropriate surgical care, others are the direct result of a surgeon failing to meet the standard of care expected of a competent medical professional. Corrective surgical procedures are often required following negligent blepharoplasty and can be costly. Claiming compensation can help to recover those costs.

Do you have a valid eyelid surgery claim?

To make a successful eyelid surgery negligence claim, you need to be able to show that your surgeon or clinic failed in their duty of care and that this failure caused you harm. The following indicators may support a claim:

• Excessive skin was removed, preventing your eyelids from closing fully
• Asymmetry is present beyond what would be considered an acceptable outcome
• You have developed ectropion (lower lid drooping) or ptosis (upper lid drooping) as a result of the procedure
• Dry eye syndrome has been caused or significantly worsened by the surgery
• Your vision has been impaired or you have experienced blurred vision following the procedure
• You were not given adequate information about the risks before consenting to surgery
• Signs of infection arose that were not promptly identified or managed
• Scarring has occurred beyond what a reasonably performed procedure would produce
• You have not received appropriate aftercare or follow-up

If any of these apply to your situation, we would encourage you to get in touch. Our team will assess your case and advise whether you have grounds to pursue eyelid surgery compensation.

What is my surgeon's duty of care?

Throughout all stages of surgery, medical professionals are bound by a legal duty of care to their patients. This obligation applies before, during, and after any eyelid surgery procedure.

Before surgery

Your surgeon must give you clear, accurate information so you can make a properly informed decision. This includes assessing your suitability for the procedure, explaining realistic outcomes, setting expectations about scarring, outlining all potential risks and discussing alternatives. If you were not given adequate information before consenting, this may constitute a breach of duty.

During surgery

The surgeon must use appropriate techniques, maintain strict hygiene and carry out the procedure to the standard expected of a competent medical professional. This involves careful planning, precise incision placement and correct tissue handling to reduce the chance of avoidable complications.

After surgery

Their duty of care continues after the procedure. They should provide clear aftercare guidance, arrange follow-up appointments and monitor your healing, including checking for signs of infection or poor healing and taking prompt action when complications arise.

Should you have experienced complications because your surgeon failed to uphold any of these standards, you may be entitled to seek eyelid surgery compensation.

How much eyelid surgery compensation could I claim?

Compensation for eyelid surgery negligence is assessed individually based on the severity of your injuries and any financial losses you have incurred. As a guide, the following ranges reflect the levels of compensation typically awarded for eye injury claims under the Judicial College Guidelines:

In addition to general damages for pain, suffering and any reduction to your quality of life, you may also be able to recover special damages, which cover financial losses such as:

• Costs of corrective surgical procedures or revision surgery
• Further treatment and ongoing medical care
• Psychological support
• Loss of earnings where complications have affected your ability to work
• Travel costs associated with additional appointments

Every claim is different, and our team will work to ensure the full impact of your eyelid surgery negligence is reflected in any compensation awarded.

If you have had eyelid surgery that has gone wrong due to medical negligence, the first step is to get in touch with our team. We will assess your case and advise whether you are eligible to make an eyelid surgery claim.

If you choose to proceed, we will obtain and review the clinical records relating to your eyelid surgery, then instruct an independent specialist surgeon to prepare a report. This medical evidence helps us to determine the level of physical damage you have suffered as a direct result of the negligence and to calculate a fair compensation figure.

We will then contact the surgeon or clinic responsible for the procedure, giving them an opportunity to accept accountability. They have up to four months to respond.

If they do not respond or accept responsibility, the next stage is typically to commence court proceedings. However, the vast majority of clinical negligence cases are resolved before this becomes necessary.

How much compensation could I claim for negligent eyelid surgery?

This depends upon the unique circumstances of your situation. Compensation is determined by examining the severity of the injury, the circumstances in which it occurred and any financial losses you have incurred as a result of the botched procedure.

As a rough guide, compensation for your physical and psychological injuries could amount to circa £50,000 or more. In addition, you could recover your financial losses, including the costs of any corrective surgical procedures, therapy and loss of earnings.

How much does it cost to make an eyelid surgery claim?

The fee we charge you for making an eyelid surgery claim totals a maximum of 30% of the damages recovered, which includes a success fee and unrecovered costs. Because of our no win, no fee arrangement, you will not have to pay our fees if your case does not succeed.

No win, no fee eyelid surgery claims explained

We handle all eyelid surgery claims on a no win, no fee basis, also known as a conditional fee agreement. This means:

• You pay nothing upfront to start your claim
• If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not pay our legal fees
• If your claim succeeds, our fee is a maximum of 30% of the damages recovered, which includes a success fee and any unrecovered costs
• There is no financial risk to you at any stage of the process

This arrangement makes claiming compensation accessible regardless of your financial situation, and ensures our interests are aligned with yours. We only get paid when you do.

How can making a claim help?

If your quality of life has been affected by blepharoplasty complications, pursuing a legal claim can help in several ways. Compensation can contribute to the cost of corrective surgery and further treatment, offset lost earnings and relieve some of the financial impact of a procedure that has gone wrong.

Beyond the financial aspects, bringing an eyelid surgery negligence claim can also provide a sense of accountability. Many people find that having their experience formally recognised helps with recovery, and compensation can support access to psychological care where the emotional and psychological impact of a botched procedure has been significant.

If you would like to find out more about your legal rights, read our report: Cosmetic Surgery: Knowing Your Rights if Something Goes Wrong.

How long do I have to make an eyelid surgery claim?

The law in England and Wales allows up to three years to make a medical negligence claim, including eyelid surgery claims. This time limit runs from the date of surgery, or the date on which you first realised (or should reasonably have realised) that something had gone wrong. If you are unsure whether your time limit has passed, contact our team as soon as possible.

What if my injury is relatively minor?

Even if your eyelid surgery complications appear minor, it is worth getting advice. Some issues that seem minor initially can have ongoing consequences, and you may still be entitled to compensation. Our team will assess the full impact of your experience before advising on whether a claim is viable.

What costs does eyelid surgery compensation cover?

Compensation can cover both general damages (for pain, suffering and loss of amenity) and special damages (for financial losses). Special damages can include the cost of corrective surgery, revision surgery, therapy, loss of earnings and travel costs related to additional treatment.

Do I pay anything upfront?

No. We handle all eyelid surgery claims on a no win, no fee basis. You pay nothing to start your claim, and nothing at all if your claim is unsuccessful.

What if my claim is unsuccessful?

Under our no win, no fee arrangement, if your claim does not succeed you will not be charged our legal fees. We will discuss any other potential costs with you before your claim begins so there are no surprises.

What counts as negligence in eyelid surgery?

Negligence occurs when a surgeon or clinic fails to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably competent medical professional, and that failure causes you harm. This can include surgical errors such as removing too much or too little skin, failure to obtain informed consent, inadequate aftercare, or failure to identify and manage complications promptly.

How long do eyelid surgery claims take?

The length of a claim depends on the complexity of the case and whether the responsible party accepts liability. Many claims are resolved through negotiation without the need for court proceedings. Our team will keep you informed throughout and give you a realistic indication of timescales once we have reviewed your case.

Will I need to go to court?

The vast majority of clinical negligence cases are resolved before court proceedings become necessary. However, if the responsible party does not accept liability, we are fully prepared to pursue your claim through the courts on your behalf.

Is there a time limit on making a blepharoplasty compensation claim?

Yes. As with all medical negligence claims, the standard time limit is three years. This runs from the date of surgery or the date you became aware that the surgery had caused you harm. We encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible so we can begin the eyelid surgery claims process without delay.

Can someone with Sjögren's syndrome have a blepharoplasty?

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune condition that causes dry eyes and dry mouth. People living with Sjögren's syndrome may in some cases undergo blepharoplasty, but dry eye is a recognised risk of eyelid surgery and existing dry eye conditions can be significantly worsened by the procedure. A responsible surgeon is obligated to fully assess suitability before proceeding, including any pre-existing conditions that increase risk. If a surgeon failed to do this and complications arose as a result, this could form the basis of an eyelid surgery negligence claim.

How much does hooded eyelid surgery cost in the UK?

Private upper eyelid surgery for hooded eyelids typically ranges from around £2,000 to £4,500 depending on the clinic and surgeon. The NHS may cover the procedure if drooping skin significantly obstructs the upper field of vision, subject to a GP referral and visual field test. If you underwent eyelid surgery privately and experienced complications due to negligence, the costs of corrective procedures may be recoverable as part of a compensation claim.

How bad does ptosis have to be for insurance to cover it?

For NHS funding or private medical insurance to cover blepharoplasty for ptosis, there typically needs to be a demonstrable functional impact on vision, usually verified by a formal visual field test. Where coverage is denied, patients often self-fund privately. If a privately funded procedure then goes wrong due to negligent eyelid surgery, you may still be entitled to seek compensation through a medical negligence claim.