In recent years, the number of plastic and cosmetic surgery operations in Turkey has skyrocketed. One of the main reasons for this is that the prices for surgeries in Turkey are much more affordable than those in Europe and America. It is important to remember that these operations are serious surgical procedures. Therefore, just like in any field, complications can occur in cosmetic surgeries due to either medical errors or the nature of the procedures themselves. If you’ve had a bad experience with plastic surgery in Turkey, read this article to the end to learn how to proceed and to understand your legal rights.
If you haven’t had surgery yet, check out our article “10 Essential Tips for a Successful Cosmetic Surgery in Turkey”.
What to do when surgery goes wrong?
To ensure that your aesthetic surgery in Turkey goes as safely as possible and to minimize all risks, you must consider these points. This information is based on the analysis of real-life cases.
1. Contact the clinic or surgeon
If you are not satisfied with the results of the cosmetic surgery or believe that the clinic or surgeon made a mistake, contact them first and explain your dissatisfaction. If it is obvious that the surgeon made a mistake, which can sometimes be very clear, inform them that you want a corrective surgery. If the surgeon or clinic wants to charge you for the corrective surgery and you do not agree, purchase one of our consultation packages so that we can find a solution for you as quickly as possible.
You are not required to pay for a second corrective surgery in cases of surgeon or clinic mistakes. In fact, in many cases, you can file a compensation claim against the surgeon or clinic that performed the surgery.
2. The importance of legal costs insurance
We mentioned the importance of legal costs insurance in the article above. If you believe that there was a mistake by the clinic or surgeon during your plastic surgery, contact your legal costs insurance provider in writing.
Inform the insurance that you want to pursue your rights and initiate legal action in Turkey. Obtain written confirmation from them that they will cover the costs in case of a lawsuit. Additionally, many insurance providers cover the cost of pre-lawsuit legal consultations from the lawyers we work with. Even if you don’t have insurance, you can still benefit from our consultation packages, which are offered with a best-price guarantee.
Do not contact your insurance provider by phone; instead, request confirmation in writing.
3. Keeping All Correspondence on Record
Before undergoing cosmetic surgery in Turkey, you must always keep all correspondence on record. It doesn’t matter where the correspondence takes place—whether on social media, WhatsApp, or email. Do not delete any correspondence.
Maintaining thorough records of all correspondence when agreeing is crucial for several legal reasons:
1. Proof of Agreement
Detailed records serve as concrete evidence of the terms agreed upon by all parties involved. This can include emails, letters, and any written communication, which can be critical in case of a dispute.
2. Clarification of Terms
Written correspondence helps clarify the specifics of the agreement, including obligations, deadlines, and responsibilities. This minimizes misunderstandings and ensures all parties have a clear understanding of their commitments.
3. Legal Compliance
Having all communications documented ensures that the agreement adheres to legal standards and regulations. This can be particularly important in highly regulated industries or transactions involving large sums of money.
4. Dispute Resolution
In the event of a disagreement or legal dispute, these records can provide an objective account of what was discussed and agreed upon. This can be invaluable in mediation, arbitrations, or court proceedings.
5. Historical Reference
Records of all communications can serve as a historical reference for future dealings. This can help in understanding the context of the agreement and any changes that were made over time.
6. Protecting Interests
Documenting all communications helps protect the interests of all parties by providing a transparent account of the negotiation process. This transparency can prevent potential accusations of bad faith or misrepresentation.
7. Regulatory Audits
In cases where agreements are subject to regulatory audits, having detailed records can demonstrate compliance and due diligence. This can prevent legal penalties or fines.
Keeping all correspondence on record when agreeing is not just a best practice but a crucial legal safeguard. It ensures transparency, accountability, and protection for all parties involved, providing a clear and verifiable account of the agreement and its terms.
4. The Importance of the information form
Our experiences so far have taught us how crucial the information form provided to the patient before surgery is. Although some hospitals hand over this form to the patient just an hour or two before cosmetic surgery and inform them, this is not sufficient time for the patient to make a decision. Furthermore, to ensure you have legal rights in case of possible complications after surgery, be sure to request this form from the clinic or surgeon.
We have witnessed court cases where lawyers for surgeons and clinics used the information form as evidence against the patients, even though the patients were not informed in a timely and sufficient manner.
