Why choose Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors for laser eye surgery claims?

Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors was the first legal practice in England and Wales established solely to support people who have been affected by cosmetic and beauty treatment negligence, including laser eye surgery. This dedicated focus gives us extensive experience in handling complex laser eye surgery claims and enables us to deliver a truly specialist and compassionate service.

Our in-depth understanding of cosmetic and ophthalmic procedures allows us to identify where laser eye surgery has fallen below acceptable standards and resulted in harm. This specialist knowledge places us in a strong position to assess your situation promptly and pursue a laser eye surgery claim that fully reflects the impact the negligence has had on your vision, wellbeing, and daily life.

We are proud to have a 95% success rate in all cases we pursue after obtaining medical evidence. In addition, we have secured over £10 million in compensation for people affected by cosmetic and medical negligence, helping them to access the support, treatment, and reassurance they need after a distressing experience. Our commitment to achieving positive outcomes is also reflected in our ‘excellent’ Trustpilot rating.

Our team is led by highly respected solicitor Michael Saul, whose expertise and leadership ensure every laser eye surgery claim is handled with care, sensitivity, and professionalism. By offering a no win, no fee service alongside specialist legal knowledge, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors are ideally placed to help you pursue the compensation you deserve and move forward with confidence.

What is your practitioner's duty of care to you?

When you undergo laser eye surgery, your practitioner owes you a duty of care to provide treatment that meets appropriate medical and professional standards. This duty applies at every stage of your treatment, from the initial consultation through to aftercare and is designed to protect your health, safety and wellbeing.

Your practitioner’s duty of care includes:

• Assessing your suitability for laser eye surgery, including reviewing your medical history, eye health and any factors that may increase the risk of complications
• Explaining the procedure clearly, including the potential risks, limitations and realistic outcomes, so you can give informed consent
• Carrying out the surgery competently, using appropriate techniques, properly maintained equipment, and following recognised clinical guidelines
• Providing appropriate aftercare, including follow-up appointments, clear recovery advice, and prompt action if complications arise

A breach of duty of care may occur if any of these responsibilities are not met and you experience avoidable harm as a result. In these circumstances, specialist medical negligence solicitors can help you to determine whether you are entitled to pursue a laser eye surgery compensation claim.

What are the signs of laser eye surgery complications?

If laser eye surgery goes wrong as a result of a medical error, people can be left with serious and potentially life-changing complications including permanent vision problems. If you experience symptoms following laser eye surgery, it is important to seek advice from medical professionals as a priority so your condition can be properly assessed and treated.

Common signs and complications associated with laser eye surgery include:

• Astigmatism: uneven healing of the cornea that can cause blurred or distorted vision.
• Corneal erosion: damage to the surface of the cornea, often resulting in pain, redness and light sensitivity.
• Corneal haze or scarring: clouding or scarring of the cornea that interferes with clear eyesight.
• Detachment of the retina: a serious condition where the retina separates from the back of the eye, potentially leading to long-term vision loss.
• Dry eyes: ongoing dryness, irritation, or a gritty sensation that does not improve with time.
• Glaucoma: increased pressure within the eye that can damage the optic nerve and affect vision.
• Failure to correct cataracts: where existing cataracts are not identified or managed before surgery, leaving vision problems unresolved.
• Halo effect: glare or rings around lights, particularly noticeable at night.
• Infections: infections caused by inadequate hygiene, surgical technique, or aftercare.
• Over or under-correction: where the laser correction does not achieve the intended outcome, leaving continuing eyesight issues.
• Rise in eye fluid pressure: increased intraocular pressure that can cause pain and vision damage if untreated.
• Tearing: excessive watering of the eyes, often linked to irritation or surface damage.

Once you have received appropriate medical attention and understand the nature of your complications, seeking advice from specialist medical negligence solicitors can help you to determine whether the harm you have experienced was avoidable. Early legal advice can ensure your situation is assessed promptly and, where appropriate, support you in pursuing a laser eye surgery claim.

How much compensation could you claim for laser eye surgery negligence?

The amount of compensation you could claim for laser eye surgery negligence will depend on the severity of the injury, the long-term impact on your vision, and how the injury affects your daily life. Compensation is typically assessed using Judicial College Guidelines, alongside medical evidence and the specific circumstances of your case. The table below gives an indication of the compensation brackets that may apply to different types of eye injuries caused by negligent treatment.

These figures are guidelines only and do not represent guaranteed outcomes. The final value of a laser eye surgery negligence claim will take into account factors such as pain and suffering, the permanence of the damage, the need for further treatment, loss of earnings and the impact on your quality of life. 

If you believe your surgeon failed to meet their duty of care and you have suffered avoidable harm as a result, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can assess your case and advise on the compensation you may be entitled to.

How long will the laser eye surgery negligence claims process take?

Due to the unique circumstances of every case we handle, it can be difficult to estimate how long your laser eye surgery claim will take. The length of the legal process will vary, depending on the specific details of your case.

By contacting Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors, you will be one step closer to securing compensation after your laser eye surgery has gone wrong. You will be assigned a dedicated solicitor who will assess your case in detail, before providing a comprehensive plan of all the steps involved.

We will update you on the progress of your case at every stage, providing you with guidance and answers to any questions you may have.

What does compensation from laser eye surgery claims cover?

Compensation for laser eye surgery is intended to reflect the full impact that negligent treatment has had on your health, wellbeing, and daily life. Where mistakes during laser eye surgery or inadequate aftercare have resulted in avoidable harm, compensation aims to support your recovery and future needs.

Depending on your circumstances, compensation for laser eye surgery may cover:

• Pain and discomfort, including ongoing eye pain or sensitivity
• Vision problems, such as reduced eyesight, double vision, glare, or halos
• Corrective medical treatment or further procedures required as a result of the negligence
• The impact on daily life, including loss of independence or difficulty carrying out routine activities
• The effect on work or education, where your eyesight problems have limited your ability to continue as before

Every laser eye surgery claim is assessed on an individual basis. Our specialist solicitors work with independent medical experts to ensure your compensation accurately reflects the extent of what you have experienced and helps you access the care, treatment and support you may need following negligent laser eye surgery.

What are the time limits for medical negligence claims?

Medical negligence claims, including those involving laser eye surgery, are subject to strict time limits. In most cases, you have three years to start a claim. This period usually runs from the date the negligent treatment occurred, or from the date you first became aware that your injury or illness was caused by medical negligence.

In some situations, the time limit may begin later. For example, if the effects of negligent laser eye surgery were not immediately apparent, the three-year period may start from the point at which you became aware that something had gone wrong. Different rules can also apply where the person affected was under the age of 18 at the time of treatment or where capacity is an issue.

Because time limits can be complex and missing a deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation, it is important to seek advice from specialist medical negligence solicitors as soon as possible. Early advice allows your solicitor to assess your circumstances promptly and take steps to protect your right to bring a claim.