A preliminary autopsy by the Los Angeles County coroner reveals that rapper Kanye West’s mother may have died because of cosmetic surgery or anesthesia related to the surgery.
Donda West, 58, received cosmetic surgery from Dr. Jan Adams, a well-known Brentwood, California plastic surgeon who has been seen on TV shows, including “Extra” and “Oprah.” He hosts his own show about plastic surgery on the Discovery Health Channel. His show was pulled after West’s death.
After her surgery, West was sent home to recover. Paramedics rushed her to a Marina del Rey hospital the following day. She died at the hospital.
Dr. Jan Adams has settled at least two major medical malpractice lawsuits in the past. He also has multiple criminal convictions for alcohol-related offenses. Earlier this year, the Medical Board of California and the state attorney general’s office served Dr. Adams a complaint seeking to suspend or revoke his medical license.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says that nearly 11.5 million cosmetic nonsurgical and surgical procedures took place in the U.S. last year. Botox injections and liposuction being are two of the most popular cosmetic procedures.
Cosmetic Surgery Malpractice
Every kind of surgery carries a certain risk-especially if errors or complications occur during the procedure. In plastic surgery, errors by a plastic surgeon can lead to injuries, including scarring, disfigurement, tissue malfunction, and death.
Common mistakes that can lead to grounds for a plastic surgery malpractice claim or lawsuit include:
• Surgeon inexperience or carelessness • Poor surgical training • Anesthesia errors • Disfigurement • Prolonged sedation • Under correction • Over correction • Nerve damage • Scarring • Post-operative mismanagement • Wrong implant size • Assymetry • Excessive facelift • Lidocaine overdose • Burning from chemical peels • Allergy to medication • Sex abuse by surgeon, nurse, or another medical worker
Surgery or anesthesia cited in death of rapper’s mother, Los Angeles Times, November 14
Donda West’s surgeon faced malpractice suits, records show, CNN.com, November 13, 2007
Related Web Resources:
Read the Medical Board of California’s Complaint Against Dr. Adams (PDF)
Cosmetic Surgery: What to Know Beforehand, MayoClinic.com
If you or someone you love is seriously injured because of a plastic surgery error, you should speak with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who knows how to prove negligence and properly pursue your claim or lawsuit.
In Massachusetts, the personal injury law firm of Altman & Altman LLP handles all kinds of medical malpractice cases. Contact Altman & Altman LLP to schedule your free consultation with one of our plastic surgery malpractice attorneys.