Did you receive CoolSculpting treatment in a local spa or salon?

Colburn Law

Posted in Medical Malpractice on March 19, 2019

You might not know that CoolSculpting is supposed to be done at the direction / prescription of a medical doctor.  By law, it is supposed to be performed by a physician, or by a trained technician in the physician’s office.  When you walk into a spa, and find that they offer CoolSculpting, you might well form the opposite impression — that it is a routine procedure, available to anyone who wants it, right now.  That impression would be wrong — dangerously wrong.  A medical doctor needs to be in charge. If a medical doctor is not in charge, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

In the state of Washington, there is no requirement that spas carry insurance.  Think about that.  If you are gravely injured as a result of a spa treatment, what resources are available for treating your injury?  For a manicure, this may be a negligible risk.  When the treatment involved the freezing of cells in the interior of your body, that’s another.

You should ask for proof that the operator is CoolSculpting certified before getting any procedure done.  Training and certification is offered directly from the manufacturer.  Injury from a procedure gone wrong is not just surface-level scarring, but also includes damage to internal organs.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis has been a very popular fat burning procedure in the last couple years. This fat removal procedure can be effective if performed by a qualified physician. CoolSculpting involves a cooling applicator that freezes fat cells below the skin. Once the fat cells are broken down, they are then removed from the body by the liver.

What are the risks?

Research is still limited on the effects CoolSculpting can have on the body. However, during the procedure most people report not feeling anything except a tugging sensation between the cooling panels located on the device. In some cases, the side effects of CoolSculpting can be extremely painful.

Potential Injuries and Side Effects Include:

• Burns
• Redness
• Numbness
• Bruising
• Moderate to mild pain
• Cramping
• Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia

Do I Need a Lawyer?

CoolSculpting is a relatively safe and effective form of body-fat reduction. However, it is still a relatively invasive and dangerous procedure that should only be performed by a medical professional. If you believe you were negligently injured by an uncertified CoolSculpting operator, you may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Contact a Seattle personal injury lawyer today to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.