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40 victims sign onto cosmetic surgery class action
Over 40 victims of Dr Daniel Lanzer, who each have registered their interest in a potential class action, recounted their harrowing experiences with poor hygiene, serious safety breaches and botched procedures that left them in severe pain.
Naomi Neilson
Upwards of 40 former patients have approached Maddens Lawyers with stories of serious injuries, disfigurements and ongoing pain as a result of the procedures by Dr Lanzer, who is currently being investigated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Medical Board of Australia for his poor practices.
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Firm principal Kathryn Emeny, who is investigating a potential class action for compensation, said that when the victims approached Dr Lanzer for procedures like liposuctions, tummy tucks and facelifts, they were not given the appropriate information during pre-surgery consultations and little to no aftercare post-surgery.
Many patients also reported feeling lured into trusting Dr Lanzer due to his prominent social media presence and substantial online following.
Simone Russell, a patient of Dr Lanzer, underwent a day procedure in September of this year and, in the days following, experienced swelling in her right thigh until it became “as hard as a rock”. In addition to the costs of the actual procedure, Ms Russell said she is now left with the financial burden of aftercare treatments.
“Understandably, it feels like a big step for people to contact Maddens Lawyers to obtain advice about their injuries and rights. Impacted patients can take comfort in the fact that they will not be alone in advancing a claim for compensation. We’re receiving a steady stream of enquiries and will be moving promptly to advance their claims for compensation,” Ms Emeny said, adding more victims are welcome to join.
Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesperson and barrister Ngaire Watson said she is particularly concerned about the promotional practices that target patients, but particularly young women, with false, misleading or limited information.
“It’s critically important that the messages communicated by cosmetic clinics make it clear to people, particularly younger people, that cosmetic procedures by their very nature are risky and can involve complex surgery,” Ms Watson said.
