Claims prevention for the aesthetic surgeon: preparing for the less-than-perfect outcome.

Many surgeons will find themselves faced with a claim of malpractice. At times this may be due to a less-than-perfect outcome. Well over half of such claims are preventable, as most are based on failures of communication and/or patient selection criteria. Attention to legal principles such as standard of care, warranty and disclosure, knowledge of patient factors, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively will hopefully maximize the possibility of remaining a claims-free surgeon.