Erica Russell, a thirty-three-year-old mother of five from Tennessee, embarked on a journey to Miami in 2021 for a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), a plastic surgery procedure known for its elevated mortality rates.
Stephen Cain, a partner at Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, representing Russell’s family, noted, “Like many folks across the country come to Florida and seek to have these plastic surgery procedures.”
Russell underwent the procedure at Seduction Cosmetic Center on SW 8th Street. State records indicate that her surgeon, Dr. John Sampson, conducted six other surgeries before hers, commencing her procedure around 8:31 in the evening, after entering the operating room at approximately 6:32 that morning.
Cain revealed details from Russell’s autopsy, stating that she succumbed to fat emboli and internal bleeding due to organ perforation during the liposuction phase of the surgery. The injection of fat too deeply into her buttocks, reaching the muscle, further exacerbated the situation—a practice prohibited by law due to its association with most BBL fatalities.
“She effectively bled to death along with having this emboli, this fatty emboli,” Cain lamented.
Russell’s family filed a lawsuit against Seduction Cosmetic Center and Dr. Sampson, alleging negligence, particularly regarding the excessive number of surgeries performed by the doctor in a single day. Despite being designated as the center’s physician, state records did not identify him as a surgeon for BBL procedures.
Dr. Sampson, questioned during a medical board hearing in 2022 about the volume of surgeries, remained silent. He later accepted a settlement from the state, which prohibits him from performing BBLs again.
Cain emphasized the expectation of better care in the United States for such procedures, expressing concern over the standards observed in many facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward.
Dr. Sampson’s legal representative declined to comment on the active litigation, citing, “unable to comment on active litigation.” However, a letter from his previous attorney highlighted his distress over the incident, emphasizing his extensive experience with liposuction and BBLs.
Seduction Cosmetic Center representatives did not respond to inquiries regarding the lawsuit.
The Russell family’s attorney emphasized their intent to raise awareness through the lawsuit and prevent similar tragedies. He acknowledged the challenges in seeking compensation due to the lack of malpractice insurance carried by many centers and doctors involved in such cases.
