If you or your loved one has experienced disfigurement due to a CoolScuplting procedure, you may have grounds for a CoolScuplting lawsuit. A personal injury attorney can help you understand what legal options are available for you.
CoolScuplting has been linked with a disfiguring side effect known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). Sufferers of PAH are left with a hard, growing mass of fat which they need surgery to remove.
Call us today for a free consultation if you experienced PAH symptoms after using CoolScuplting Elite.
This guide looks at every key detail you should know about CoolScuplting and health-related issues linked to this medical treatment. We will also discuss the legal options available if you developed body disfigurement after getting a CoolScuplting treatment.
What is CoolScuplting?
CoolScuplting is an FDA-cleared medical device used in a non-invasive fat reduction procedure called cryolipolysis. This procedure uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat cells.
While CoolScuplting is a device, and cryolipolysis the technical treatment term, many users call the medical procedure CoolScuplting . It is marketed as a cosmetic treatment to reduce diet and exercise-resistant fat in specific body areas.
CoolScuplting was introduced more than 12 years ago and quickly rose to popularity as it made appearances on celebrity shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The treatment being non-invasive and able to quickly give people their dream body propelled this medical device into most medical spas, dermatology offices, and plastic surgery centers.
While CoolScuplting is generally considered safe, there have been several cases of severe side effects.
CoolScuplting Side Effects
CoolScuplting is generally a safe treatment. However, like most treatments, some people might experience temporary, and sometimes permanent side effects.
Temporary numbness and tingling
- Redness and bruising
- Itching and skin sensitivity
- Skin ulcerations and scarring
- Late-onset pain
In some rarer cases, recipients of CoolScuplting may experience a severe side effect known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH). The FDA received 1,100 reports of adverse effects from CoolScuplting treatments in 2021 after Linda Evangelista went public and filed a CoolScuplting lawsuit. The number rose to 1,900 last year. In fact, the majority of the reports mentioned hyperplasia as a side effect.
What is Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH)?
PAH is a rare complication that can occur after cryolipolysis, a cosmetic procedure commonly known as CoolScuplting.
In normal circumstances, CoolScuplting targets a specific body section to freeze the fat cells. Patients will often undergo multiple treatments in the same area. When successful, the cells die after being frozen, and the body absorbs them.
However, this is not the case for some people who undergo the treatment.
What Patients Have Experienced
Instead of the cells dying after freezing, they can harden and continue to grow in the area of treatment. These changes are noticeable because they cause localized fat deposits and bulges in the affected area. This leaves the person with a hard mass of growing fat that only surgery can correct. This condition is known as paradoxical adipose hyperplasia (PAH).
The exact cause of PAH is not yet fully understood. It is believed to be a rare adverse reaction to cryolipolysis, possibly related to individual variations in the body’s response to the cooling process.
Unfortunately, PAH is not noticeable at the start of the treatment. The symptoms often manifest a few months after the cryolipolysis procedure. These are the symptoms to look out for:
- A visible enlargement of the treated area
- A firm or rubbery texture
- The shape of the fat deposit might be rectangular
- The fat does not go away even after exercise or a change of diet
These changes can be frustrating for patients who had initially sought the procedure to reduce unwanted fat. PAH can only be treated via a surgical procedure to remove the fat. However, the patient has to wait six to nine months before liposuction. Your physician may also recommend direct excision of the affected tissue. Additionally, a single treatment may not be enough. There’s also no guarantee that corrective surgery will completely eliminate PAH.
Allergan Aesthetics, the company behind CoolScuplting, says that PAH occurs in about 1 in 3,000 treatment cycles. However, research published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that PAH occurs in about 1 in 2,000 cycles.
What to Do if CoolScuplting Caused You or Your Loved One Body Disfigurement?
If you or your loved one have experienced PAH or any adverse effects after CoolScuplting, it is important to take the following steps to start your CoolScuplting lawsuit:
Consult a Physician
If you notice any PAH symptoms, consult a qualified medical professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis. They will also make appropriate treatment recommendations. It is best that you work with the practitioner that conducted the CoolScuplting procedure. However, if you feel worried about the practitioner’s objectivity, seek a second opinion from a physician specializing in dermatology and cosmetic procedures.
Notify the Relevant Authority
This is not a mandatory step. However, it is vital to ensure adequate investigation into potentially harmful medical devices and procedures. In this case, the relevant authority is the FDA MedWatch Program. You can make your report online.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If the body disfigurement is significant and has caused emotional distress, physical impairment, or long-term consequences, consult a personal injury lawyer. They can guide you through the legal process and help you understand your options for seeking compensation or recourse.
What is a CoolScuplting Lawsuit?
A CoolScuplting PAH lawsuit is a legal claim for compensation by patients diagnosed with PAH after undergoing the CoolScuplting procedure. Victims can make a legal claim on the grounds of; the manufacturer failing to warn of the severe side effects, defective design of the device, and negligence on the manufacturer’s part.
Should You File a CoolScuplting Elite Lawsuit?
If a CoolScuplting procedure left you with body disfigurement (PAH), you can make a legal claim against the device’s manufacturer. PAH is a challenging condition that usually affects not only the body but also the patient’s emotional state.
It might be hard to prove a CoolScuplting lawsuit because PAH symptoms don’t happen instantaneously. It can take months before you notice the bulgy lump of fat. However, medical reports from the CoolScuplting procedures and medical treatment of PAH can help you make a case.
Treatment of PAH can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Seeking legal action can provide you with compensation for these medical costs. In addition, you can also get compensation for the emotional pain and suffering you experienced when dealing with PAH.
Who is Liable for CoolScuplting Injuries?
A CoolScuplting Elite lawsuit is typically brought against the manufacturer. In this case, the manufacturer is Allergan Aesthetics. As such, the company will be liable for your CoolScuplting injuries.
In one example, supermodel Linda Evangelista filed a lawsuit in September 2021 against Zeltiq, the company behind CoolScuplting (Allergan Aesthetics owns Zeltiq). She claimed that the procedure left her disfigured due to a condition known as PAH—suing them for $50 million. Ms. Evangelista announced in the summer of that year that she had settled with the company.
Why Do You Need a CoolScuplting Lawyer for Your CoolScuplting PAH Lawsuit?
You’ll need a qualified personal injury lawyer to pursue a CoolScuplting lawsuit. Proving a CoolScuplting case can be challenging, as it can be difficult to prove that the procedure caused PAH. That’s because PAH can take six to twenty-four weeks after the procedure to occur.
However, attorneys understand the intricacies of such a case and can guide you through each step of your lawsuit. The attorney will ensure the most appropriate legal grounds and present proper evidence for your case.
Is There an Ongoing CoolScuplting Class Action Lawsuit?
Currently, there’s no ongoing CoolScuplting class action lawsuit. However, this should not hinder you from pursuing legal compensation for PAH. If you or your loved one experienced PAH as a result of CoolSculpting, consult a personal injury lawyer for the way forward.
CoolScuplting Elite Recall
The FDA recalled the CoolScuplting Elite System on August 27, 2021. The recall was classified as Class II. This means that the use or exposure of the system may cause temporary or adverse health conditions. The FDA initiated this recall on July 5, 2021.
Start Your CoolScuplting PAH Lawsuit with Nadrich & Cohen
If you have experienced complications from a CoolScuplting procedure, we understand the distress and frustration you may be feeling. At Nadrich & Cohen, we are here to offer our legal assistance during this difficult time.
You don’t have to face the complexities of a CoolScuplting lawsuit alone. Our compassionate team of attorneys is ready to listen to your concerns, provide guidance, and determine your eligibility for compensation. We serve clients throughout California and can help you receive compensation through a medical complication lawsuit.
Nadrich & Cohen offers a free and confidential consultation where you can openly discuss your situation and have your questions answered. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. This allows you to focus on your recovery and the legal process without additional financial burden.
You deserve compassionate representation and someone who will fight for your rights. Contact Nadrich & Cohen today to schedule your consultation. Our dedicated team is here to support and help you seek justice and compensation.