A Puerto Rico court has upheld a ruling that awarded damages to Carol Sosa Santiago after she suffered a burn during a laser hair removal treatment. The court confirmed that the medical service provider, Numed Medical Services, LLC, was negligent in its treatment, leading to physical and emotional suffering for Santiago. This case highlights the responsibilities of medical service providers to ensure patient safety during procedures.

The ruling came from the Tribunal de Apelaciones de Puerto Rico, which reviewed the case after Numed appealed a lower court's decision. The court's decision is significant for patients seeking accountability in medical negligence cases.

Background

Carol Sosa Santiago filed her lawsuit against Numed Medical Services, LLC, on December 19, 2020. She claimed that during her third laser hair removal session on December 20, 2019, she suffered a burn on her chin. Santiago had requested that the technician, Denise Di Brito, be cautious with the treatment since her wedding was approaching. Despite her concerns, the technician used a hotter setting than usual, resulting in a burn that later became infected.

Santiago sought $280,000 in damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and medical expenses. In response, Numed denied the allegations, arguing that their treatment adhered to established medical standards and that any injury was due to Santiago's failure to follow post-treatment instructions.

The case proceeded to trial, where both parties presented testimonies and evidence. The lower court eventually ruled in favor of Santiago, finding that Numed had acted negligently by not conducting a necessary patch test and failing to provide adequate post-treatment care.

The Ruling

The Tribunal de Apelaciones confirmed the lower court's ruling on September 23, 2026. The judges found that Numed's negligence directly caused Santiago's injuries. The opinion stated, "the part of the defendant-appellant incurred in negligence in the management post-hair removal treatment, as it failed to comply with the applicable standard of care after Mrs. Sosa Santiago communicated her situation."

The court also noted that while Santiago did not receive proper instructions on post-treatment care, she contributed to her injury by allowing makeup to be applied to the affected area against medical advice. Consequently, the court attributed 25% of the negligence to Santiago, reducing the total damages awarded to $31,354.17.

Impact

This ruling reinforces the principle that medical service providers must adhere to established safety protocols and adequately inform patients of potential risks. It also illustrates the court's willingness to hold medical professionals accountable for negligence, especially in cases involving personal injury and emotional distress.

Furthermore, the decision serves as a precedent for future cases involving medical negligence in Puerto Rico. It emphasizes the importance of thorough documentation and communication between medical providers and patients regarding treatment procedures and potential risks.

What's Next

Numed has the option to appeal this ruling to a higher court, but details about any potential appeal or related cases were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may influence similar lawsuits in the future, as it highlights the court's stance on medical negligence and patient care standards.