Actress Wins Partial Compensation in Lawsuit Against Dermatologist for Burn Injury

A well-known actress, referred to as A, has won a partial victory in her lawsuit against a dermatologist, B, who caused her a second-degree burn during a cosmetic procedure. On March 21, the Seoul Central District Court's 18th Civil Division, led by Judge Park Jun-min, ordered B to pay A 48,039,295 won (approximately $40,000) in damages, despite A initially seeking 200 million won (about $170,000).

In May 2021, A visited a dermatology clinic in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to undergo three treatments—Ultherapy, Thermage, and Inmode—aimed at reducing wrinkles. During the procedures, she sustained an injury on her left cheek, which B treated with a moisture bandage. However, the injury turned out to be a larger-than-expected second-degree burn, leading A to undergo 50 treatments for burn care and wound restoration at various hospitals. Although the injury has improved, it remains visible from a distance of 2 to 3 meters.

As a result of the injury, A faced disruptions in her drama filming schedule and incurred costs of 9.55 million won (around $8,000) for computer-generated imagery (CGI) work to conceal the scar in her drama. A's legal team argued that B was negligent by performing the three treatments consecutively without adhering to safety protocols or proper equipment usage, suggesting that the treatment was either too intense or improperly repeated on the same area.

The court acknowledged some of A's claims, noting that B had indeed acted negligently, especially considering A's previous experience with the same treatments. However, the court limited the compensation to cover A's medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost income, and emotional distress, excluding the CGI costs, as there was no evidence that B was aware A would incur such expenses. Both parties have decided not to appeal the ruling, making it final.

A is recognized for her roles in popular dramas such as Gentleman’s Dignity (신사의 품격) and Discovery of Love (연애의 발견).