Pete Burns, a former Celebrity Big Brother contestant has been awarded over 400,000 in damages following a disastrous cosmetic procedure.
The flamboyant singer, who fronted eighties pop band Dead Or Alive, was guaranteed to win damages after the specialist performing the procedure instructed his lawyers to admit liability on his behalf, although many people thought he would be awarded over a million pounds.
Burns, 49, was treated at a Harley Street clinic by Dr Maurizio Viel after he felt his existing lip implants had shrunk, and it was here that Dr Viel used a cosmetic filler called Outline on the Dead or Alive front man, despite the fact it was not meant for use alongside other fillers or implants. Dr Viel ignored the warnings further, when he continued to administer follow up injections, which also went against the manufacturer’s specific instructions.
Mr Burns experienced swelling of the lips and congealed lumps of filler, as well as suffering with discharge from the lips, as a result of the treatment. To try and remedy these problems Burn’s has had to undergo a number of surgical procedures to try and cleanse his lips of the product residue, although the symptoms are likely to resurface at some stage, meaning further procedures will be necessary.
The legal team representing Burns suggested that the dangerous filler was injected into their clients lips on a number of occasions between 2000 and 2004 by Dr Viel, with testing to rule out an adverse reaction. Viel also ignored the manufacturer’s advice on possible side effects, neglecting to inform his patient of the possible risks of using the product.
Once a case was brought against Dr Viel, he admitted liability on a several counts, with the main count being that he had ignored the manufacturer’s instructions when suggesting and administering the pro-collagen filler.
Mr Burn’s was awarded 450,000 in an out of court settlement for both financial and emotional damage, saying of the botched procedure ‘It has taken away my life and my career. I saw doctors in London who said the only option was to amputate my lips.
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