New Year’s Resolutions: Proceed with Caution

The tradition of making resolutions for the new year may be traced to the ancient Romans in 153 B.C.  According to Roman mythology, Janus was the god of beginnings and transitions. He is often depicted with two faces, one looking forward and one looking back.

One extremely common New Year’s resolution in our current culture is weight loss. Unfortunately, such resolutions may be dangerous on occasion—even fatal in some cases.  At the beginning this year, for example, 35-year-old Lidvian Zelaya’s resolution for 2011 was to undergo plastic surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery cost the Miami Beach, Florida resident her life. A lawsuit for wrongful death based on medical malpractice is currently underway.

If your New Year’s resolution list includes losing weight and improving your looks through cosmetic surgery, it may be a good idea to get a second, third, and even fourth opinion before selecting a qualified, reputable surgeon and clinic.  Additionally, avoid selecting a clinic solely based on cost, because you may get what you pay for.

The medical malpractice and wrongful death attorneys at Perenich The Law Firm have more than 60 years of combined experience in holding negligent surgeons and others responsible for the tragic deaths of innocent victims of negligence. Our offices are conveniently located throughout the Tampa Bay, Florida area, including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, and New Port Richey.