Washington Cosmetic Clinic To Pay $1.8 Million in Wrongful Death Suit

Sono Bello Body Contour Center, a cosmetic clinic in Bellevue, Washington, has agreed to pay $1.8 million to the family of a bride-to-be who went to the clinic for liposuction in May 2009 and died hours later.  The 28-year-old went to the clinic for the procedure then checked into a nearby hotel to recover.  The hotel maids found the woman’s body the next morning.  The King County Medical Examiner ruled that she died from “acute lidocaine intoxication.”

Lidocaine is a nerve blocker that is pumped into the body to suppress pain during liposuction. When a representative from the Society of Plastic Surgeons was asked by KING 5 News to interpret the levels of lidocaine found, she said they were “really, really high, stratospheric high.”

In the settlement, neither Sono Bello nor the doctor admitted any wrongdoing. The family’s lawyer said that Sono Bello offered a higher, undisclosed amount if they would keep the settlement confidential.  The family refused to do so and accepted a lower amount.

Since this death, the state of Washington now requires all clinics to be accredited by one of four national agencies. Prior to this case, cosmetic clinics were not licensed or inspected.  In addition, the health department has charged the doctor who performed the procedure with unprofessional conduct and delivering medical care below state standards. His hearing is scheduled for November.

At Munley Law, our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. Our Scranton, Pennsylvania attorneys have represented the survivors of wrongful death victims across several practice areas, including those who’ve perished due to medical negligence.   Contact us today for a free consultation or call us toll-free.