Medical Law · Civil Liability
Did something go wrong after a cosmetic procedure?
A hair transplant, plastic surgery, filler, botox or facial harmonization that didn’t turn out as it should have may amount to medical error or a failure in the provision of the service. You have the right to understand what happened and what legal paths exist for your case.
You’re not alone
Problems with cosmetic procedures are more common than they seem — and they’re not always just “a risk of the procedure.”
Many people think they simply have to accept a bad result. But, depending on what happened, there may be a technical failure, negligence, or a breach of the duty to inform — and that can give rise to a right to compensation. Here are some situations we see frequently:
Hair Transplant
Unsatisfactory results, necrosis of the donor or recipient area, post-procedure infection.
Plastic Surgery
Asymmetries, abnormal scarring, necrosis, infection, or a result far from what was promised.
Facial Filler and Harmonization
Tissue necrosis, embolism, granulomas, asymmetries, and adverse reactions to fillers.
Laser Procedures
Burns, permanent marks, and injuries caused by laser hair removal or peels.
Post-Procedure Infection
Infections resulting from asepsis failures at aesthetic clinics.
Misleading Advertising
Promises of results that don't match what was actually delivered.
Didn’t find your situation? Every case is unique — tell us what happened.
How it works
A simple first step, free of charge
You tell us what happened
An initial, free conversation to understand the procedure, what went wrong, and what evidence you already have.
We evaluate your case
We review medical records, photos, reports and other documents to assess the legal viability of your situation.
You understand the next steps
We explain, transparently, the possibilities and the most appropriate legal path for your case.
The firm
Technical representation, with a human approach to the moment you’re going through
Schwab Alonso Advogados is a boutique firm based in Brasília, working in civil law, medical law, and strategic litigation before Brazil’s superior courts. We know that looking for a lawyer after a cosmetic procedure that went wrong is usually accompanied by frustration and insecurity — that’s why our approach always starts by listening carefully to what you went through.
Learn about the firmFrequently asked questions
Questions we hear often
How long do I have to sue a clinic or aesthetic physician?
As a general rule, Brazil's Consumer Protection Code (CDC) sets a 5-year statute of limitations for claims seeking compensation for damages caused by a defective product or service, counted from the moment the victim becomes aware of the damage and who caused it. This period can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case, so it's best to consult a lawyer as soon as you notice the problem, to assess the deadline that applies to your specific situation.
Do I need a medical report to file a lawsuit?
A medical report or expert opinion is very helpful in proving the causal link between the procedure and the harm suffered, but it isn't the only possible type of evidence. Photos, messages exchanged with the clinic, medical records, prescriptions and witness statements can also form part of the body of evidence. A lawyer can advise on which evidence to gather and, if necessary, request a court-ordered expert examination.
Can I sue even though I signed an informed consent form?
Yes. The informed consent form proves that you were told about the general risks of the procedure, but it does not release the professional or the clinic from liability in the event of technical error, negligence, recklessness, malpractice, or a failure in the provision of the service. The existence of the consent form does not, by itself, prevent a civil liability lawsuit.
Do the aesthetic clinic and the physician answer for damages in the same way?
Not necessarily. The clinic, as a service provider, is generally held strictly liable under Brazil's Consumer Protection Code, regardless of fault. The physician's personal liability, on the other hand, is generally assessed based on fault (negligence, recklessness, or malpractice), except when the case involves an obligation of result, as is often understood to be the case in cosmetic plastic surgery. A lawyer can assess who should be named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
If you've gone through a similar situation, talk to our team
The first conversation is free and helps us understand what happened to you.