A Guide To Making Dermal Filler Claims

In today’s world of quick fixes and aesthetic enhancements, dermal fillers have become a popular way to achieve youthful-looking skin without surgery. But what happens when things go wrong? While most procedures are performed safely, errors still occur—leading to swelling, disfigurement, and long-lasting distress. If you’ve experienced harm after a dermal filler procedure, you may have grounds to take legal action.

This guide provides expert insight into dermal filler claims, helping you understand whether you could be entitled to claim compensation. We’ll cover what dermal filler negligence looks like, how to recognise avoidable harm, and the steps involved in starting a dermal filler injury claim. You’ll also discover what dermal filler compensation could compensate you for and how a No Win No Fee agreement makes high-quality legal representation accessible.

At Legal Helpline, our team offers a free initial consultation, and we work closely with our panel of solicitors to provide guidance on your rights and the strength of your claim. Whether you’re unsure about time limits or how to start your case, we’re here to help.

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Read on to learn about dermal filler claims and take your first step towards justice and recovery. Or, get in touch with one of our expert advisors regarding medical negligence claims today by:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Dermal Filler Claims?
What Do Dermal Fillers Do?
How Can A Dermal Filler Procedure Be Negligent?
Can I Make A Claim For Botched Dermal Fillers?
How Much Filler Compensation Could I Get?
What Can A Dermal Filler Payout Help Me With?
How Do I Make A Dermal Filler Claim?
Get Free Advice From Legal Helpline
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What Are Dermal Filler Claims?

Dermal filler claims are made when someone suffers avoidable harm due to a negligent dermal filler procedure. Aesthetic and beauty treatments should be carried out by trained professionals following recognised guidelines. Unfortunately, some individuals experience prolonged swelling, scarring, vascular occlusion, or even tissue death due to errors during dermal filler injections.

Whether the practitioner injected too much filler, used an unsafe substance, or failed to consider pre-existing conditions, if this negligent treatment caused unnecessary harm, you may be able to claim compensation.

Contact our team of advisors today to find out if you could be eligible to make a dermal filler claim. Or, keep reading to learn more about cosmetic negligence.

What Do Dermal Fillers Do?

Dermal fillers are injectable gels typically made of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the body. Fillers are used to:

Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and facial lines
Plump and shape lips or cheeks
Add volume to the cheeks, chin, and jawline
Smooth skin after weight loss or ageing

Temporary fillers usually dissolve over months, while permanent dermal fillers stay in the body for longer. Though popular, these cosmetic procedures are not without risks.

Speak with our advisors today if your dermal filler treatment caused unexpected harm or required corrective treatment.

How Can A Dermal Filler Procedure Be Negligent?

A negligent dermal filler treatment can occur when the person performing the procedure fails to meet the required standard of care. Each example below can result in significant and often avoidable harm:

Injecting filler into the wrong area – This may lead to asymmetry, tissue damage, or even nerve injury. In some cases, it can result in long-term permanent scars or require further cosmetic surgery.
Using too much dermal filler – Overfilling can stretch the skin, cause unnatural results, and increase the risk of lumps, bruising, or internal pressure that damages soft tissue.
Blocking a blood vessel – Filler accidentally injected into or near a blood vessel can cause vascular occlusion, reducing blood flow and leading to tissue death. If not treated immediately, this could result in scarring or permanent disfigurement.
Failing to screen for allergies – Not checking a patient’s allergy history can result in dangerous allergic reactions, which may require urgent medical attention and leave both physical and psychological effects.
Using non-sterile equipment – This increases the risk of infections that could cause pain, swelling, abscesses, and long-term complications, potentially requiring antibiotics or surgical drainage.
Neglecting to explain risks and alternatives – Patients must be informed about potential side effects and safer options. Failing to do so removes their ability to give proper consent and may mean the procedure was carried out without fully informed agreement.
Inadequate aftercare instructions – Poor post-treatment guidance can delay healing, increase the risk of complications, and leave patients confused about how to manage swelling, redness, or signs of infection.

These types of negligent treatment can result in both physical and psychological harm, and many victims are left with the cost of corrective treatment, ongoing therapy, and emotional distress.

If you’ve experienced poor results from a dermal filler procedure, contact our team of advisors now for free legal advice about your rights and whether you could claim compensation.

Can I Make A Claim For Botched Dermal Fillers?

Yes. If you’ve suffered harm from botched dermal fillers, you could make a dermal filler injury claim. When you agree to have a dermal filler treatment, the person performing the procedure has a legal responsibility to keep you safe. This is called a duty of care.

If they make a mistake—like using the wrong technique, not checking your medical history, or using unsafe products—and this causes you harm, they may have breached that duty. If this breach causes you unnecessary harm, then this is known as negligence.

To make a successful claim, you will need to show:

The practitioner owed you a duty of care (which they automatically do if they are providing a treatment)
They breached their duty of care
This breach directly caused you harm that could have been avoided

Will Signing A Waiver Impact My Ability To Claim?

While signing a waiver or consent form is a common part of most cosmetic procedures, it does not automatically prevent you from making a dermal filler claim. A waiver does not give the practitioner permission to act negligently.

If you experienced avoidable harm—such as being injected in the wrong location, suffering a severe allergic reaction due to improper screening, or experiencing vascular occlusion—you may still be eligible to claim compensation.

Waivers cannot override a professional’s legal obligation to perform treatments with due care and skill. The courts will consider whether the practitioner followed safe practice and whether your injury could have been prevented.

Contact our advisors to find out how your waiver might impact your case and whether you can still claim for negligent dermal filler treatment.

Can I Claim Even If I Was Made Aware Of The Risks?

Yes, you may still be able to claim. Being made aware of general risks is not the same as accepting negligent treatment. Before undergoing a dermal filler procedure, you should be informed of common side effects such as:

Mild swelling
Temporary bruising
Minor redness

However, more serious complications—like tissue death, infections from unsterile equipment, or permanent facial asymmetry caused by practitioner error—go beyond these expected risks. These kinds of injuries could indicate that something went wrong that shouldn’t have.

Even if you knew there was a possibility of bruising or swelling, you did not agree to suffer lasting damage caused by poor technique or a lack of proper medical care.

Speak to our advisors today to learn more about the difference between accepted risk and actionable negligence in dermal filler claims.

How Much Filler Compensation Could I Get?

The amount of compensation you could receive from a dermal filler negligence claim depends on the severity of the harm, how long it lasts, and the financial impact it has had on your life.

General damages are awarded in all successful cases and compensate you for physical pain, loss of amenity, visible disfigurement, or psychological trauma

Those calculating this head of loss may refer to the compensation guidelines listed within the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).

For the table below, we have used some of the entries listed within the JCG, aside from the first entry. Please only refer to these as a guide.

INJURY	SEVERITY	NOTES	GUIDELINE COMPENSATION
Multiple Severe Forms of Harm with Special Damages	Severe	Compensation for suffering multiple forms of severe harm along with special damages for financial losses such as lost earnings.	Up to £500,000+
Injuries Affecting Sight	Total Blindness	Complete loss of sight	In the region of £327,940
	Loss of Sight in One Eye with Reduced Vision in the Remaining Eye (ii)	Issues such as double vision in the remaining eye.	£78,040 to £129,330
	Serious Incomplete Loss of Vision In One Eye	There isn't a significant risk of reduction or loss of vision in the remaining eye.	£28,900 to £48,040
Facial Disfigurement	Very Severe Scarring	Cosmetic effect is very disfiguring in relatively young claimants.	£36,340 to £118,790
	Less Severe Scarring	Substantial disfigurement with a significant psychological reaction.	£21,920 to £59,090
	Significant Scarring	Plastic surgery will have reduced the worst of the effects but there will be some cosmetic disability.	£11,120 to £36,720
	Less Significant Scarring	One or multiple small scars.	£4,820 to £16,770
	Trivial Scarring	Only minor effect.	£2,080 to £4,310

For a free case valuation, speak to our advisors today.

What Can A Dermal Filler Payout Help Me With?

Compensation from a dermal filler claim could help you with gaining a sense of justice. It could also help compensate you for any associated financial losses you have suffered.

These would be compensated under special damages, and could include:

Medical costs – such as consultations, prescriptions, and private corrective treatments
Travel expenses – to and from medical or therapy appointments
Loss of earnings – if you needed time off work or lost income due to the injury
Future care costs – if you need help with long-term treatment
Therapy and counselling – to address anxiety, depression, or body image issues caused by disfigurement

To claim special damages, you’ll need evidence, such as receipts, wage slips, and expert reports.

To learn more about how compensation is calculated in dermal filler claims, you can contact our advisors.

How Do I Make A Dermal Filler Claim?

To begin your claim, follow these key steps:

Gather evidence:
- Photographs of the injury and results
- Medical records and treatment history
- Receipts for any expenses
- Written communication with the practitioner or clinic
Seek medical attention:
- Visit your GP or a specialist to assess your condition
- Document any corrective treatment received
Contact a solicitor:
- Legal Helpline offers free case reviews
- Our panel of solicitors can handle your claim on a No Win No Fee basis

Time Limits

In most cases, you must start your claim within 3 years of the incident, as per the Limitation Act 1980. Exceptions to this time limit may also apply.

Contact our advisors to learn what these exceptions are.

Get Free Advice From Legal Helpline

Whether you’re unsure about liability, your eligibility, or how much your claim might be worth, our team is here to help. At Legal Helpline, we offer:

Free advice with no obligation
Fast response times—we can usually assess your claim within minutes
Clear explanations of your rights and options

Best of all, our panel of solicitors offer representation through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee agreement. This means:

You pay nothing upfront for their services
There are no service fees to pay during your claim
If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay your solicitor’s service fees

If your claim is successful, a small percentage of your compensation—called a success fee—is deducted by your solicitor. The percentage of this fee is capped by law, ensuring you keep the majority of your payout.

Contact Our Panel Of Solicitors

Our panel of solicitors are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our friendly team of advisors today to see how one of them could help you: