In a tragic turn of events, the family of Erica Russell, 33, a mother of five from
is mourning her unexpected death after undergoing Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery.
Allegations have surfaced against Dr. John Sampson of Coral Gables’ Seduction Cosmetic Center, with the family saying that the doctor should not have conducted the treatment.
According to NBC News and the Miami Herald, Russell died of heart arrest just over two hours into the procedure on the night of June 16, 2021.
Russell’s estate filed a complaint accusing Dr. Sampson of puncturing her bladder, liver, and intestines during the treatment, which caused her death from hemorrhage and pulmonary fat embolism.
South Florida has been identified as a significant hotspot for BBL-related fatalities, bolstering the family’s concerns about the safety of such treatments.
Russell was purportedly the seventh patient on Dr. Sampson’s schedule that day, with the surgery starting around 14 hours after his previous procedure.
The lawsuit against Seduction Cosmetic Center accuses the clinic of falsely presenting Dr. Sampson as a surgeon.
Despite being listed as a “designated physician” on an application submitted to the Florida Health Department, Dr. Sampson later claimed in a letter to state officials that he was not a surgeon at Seduction. This inconsistency calls into question the cosmetic facility’s oversight and approval processes.
Furthermore, Dr. Sampson’s plastic surgery board certification was suspended in 2022, raising additional concerns about his qualifications and competence for such procedures.
Michael Lavine, an attorney in the lawsuit, underlined the family’s grief at Russell’s death, portraying it as the product of “assembly line medicine.”
The tragic death of Erica Russell has renewed debate over the safety and regulation of cosmetic procedures, particularly high-risk treatments such as the Brazilian Butt Lift.
With the legal proceedings underway, Russell’s family would be battling for justice and accountability for their beloved Erica’s untimely death.
