The devastating loss of Erica Russell, a 33-year-old mother of five from Tennessee, has prompted her family to pursue justice through legal channels after she tragically died during an illegal Brazilian butt lift (BBL) procedure.
The lawsuit targets Dr. John Sampson and the Seduction Cosmetic Center in Coral Gables, Florida, holding them accountable for the fatal outcome of the procedure.
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Russell passed away on June 16, 2021, when Dr. Sampson inadvertently punctured her intestines, bladder, liver, and abdominal wall with a cannula during the BBL procedure.
The procedure led to a blockage in her bloodstream due to the release of fat, ultimately resulting in fatal cardiac arrest, just two hours into the surgery.
The law firm representing Russell’s family, Stewart Tilghman Fox & Bianchi & Cain, emphasized the preventable nature of Russell’s death, denouncing it as a consequence of “assembly line medicine.”
Dr. Sampson, who was not authorized to perform the BBL procedure, had previously faced disciplinary actions and fines but retained his practicing license.
Further investigation revealed that Dr. Sampson had performed six unauthorized surgeries totaling 14 hours of illegal procedures at the Seduction Cosmetic Center.
Despite lacking authorization, he purportedly misrepresented his privileges, claiming to be a “Designated Physician” when Russell consented to the procedure.
Dr. Sampson’s alleged violation of the minimum standard of care for the procedure, including incorrect fat injections, resulted in a pulmonary fat embolism that proved fatal for Russell.
Amid the legal proceedings, Sampson has been removed from the Seduction Cosmetic Center’s website.
Expressing their grief and admiration for Erica Russell, friends, family, and coworkers gathered at her funeral service to pay tribute to her life.
Described as a compassionate and resilient individual, Russell’s legacy lives on through the memories and love shared by those who knew her.
The lawsuit filed by the Russell family seeks accountability and justice for Erica’s untimely death, shedding light on the critical importance of upholding medical standards and patient safety in cosmetic procedures.
