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Legal considerations in cosmetic laser surgery
Author(s) -
Goldberg David J
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of cosmetic dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.626
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1473-2165
pISSN - 1473-2130
DOI - 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2006.00234.x
Subject(s) - malpractice , legal action , medicine , hair removal , laser surgery , medical malpractice , surgery , laser therapy , laser treatment , action (physics) , medical negligence , dermatology , laser , law , political science , physics , optics , quantum mechanics
Summary Cosmetic laser surgery is a continuously evolving field of medicine. According to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, over 100 million laser and light source cosmetic procedures were performed by its members. Procedures including hair removal, nonablative treatments, as well as removal of pigmented lesions, tattoos, and unwanted vascular lesions have revolutionized this field. With an increasing number of physicians and nonphysicians performing these procedures, and with the availability of increasingly powerful laser technologies, the potential for problems and their legal consequences continue to increase. This chapter will deal with the concept of negligence and the potential for a resultant medical malpractice that may arise in such a setting. An understanding of the basic principles of a cause of action in medical malpractice will likely protect a physician from losing such a case in a court of law.