The practice of defensive medicine is not a new concept to the medical profession. The incidence of complaints that turn into allegations of negligence is certainly on the increase,1,2 and many aesthetic practitioners may not be aware of how vulnerable they can be to such allegations. There is undoubtedly a need for help and advice on how to stay protected against the commonest occurrences. This article will explain how aesthetic practitioners using lasers and other energy-based devices can ensure they can mitigate their chances of a claim being held against them, as well as defend themselves should they be faced with a claim.
All aesthetic professionals have a ‘duty of care’, which is a legal obligation not to cause a patient injury while in their care.3 To mount a legal case successfully against a clinic, a breach of duty, often referred to as negligence, must be suggested by the…
