Serious injuries can result in permanent scarring. This can be quite embarrassing especially if the scar is located in an area that’s visible such as your face, neck, and hands. Scarring and disfigurement can affect your quality of life as well as your ability to get a job. The good news is that if your scarring was caused by someone else’s negligence, a scarring and disfigurement lawyer near you can help you sue them for compensatory damages. Our New Bedford Scarring Claim Lawyer can help you figure out how much your scarring claim is worth as well as help you obtain maximum compensation for you. Below we explain different types of scars, whether you can get compensation, and how you can make a claim.
What are the Different Types of Scarring and Disfigurement in Accidents?
Contracture Scar
This kind of scar happens after a burn. The scar tightens your skin and impairs your ability to move. You may need advanced treatments such as splinting, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy. Contractures do not go away but they can be improved using the mentioned treatments. In severe cases, the patient might need the contracture to be surgically released.
Keloid Scar
This is a raised scar that happens after the skin has healed following an injury. Keloids can grow bigger than the original injury. You might require removing or treating the scar through surgery, silicone sheets, or steroid injections.
Atrophic Scar
They look like indented scars and occur after the skin fails to regenerate tissue. Chickenpox and acne tend to leave atrophic scars but so do surgery and trauma.
Hypertrophic Scar
This is an elevated scar that forms over an injury. Unlike a keloid, the scar fades away with time and does not require special treatment.
Disfigurement
Disfigurement from Fractures
Fractures can affect the function and shape of certain parts of the body such as the face. For instance, a broken nose can result in a misshapen nose.
Disfiguring Injuries
Burn marks are usually visible even after skin grafting. Head injuries can also leave scars on the scalp or visible bald patches.
Scarring and Disfiguration from Different Types of Accidents
Scars and Disfigurement from a Car Accident
70% of people involved in car accidents sustain some kind of facial injury. Some of the facial injuries they suffer include:
Facial Deformity
They usually occur when facial bones are damaged.
Bone Fracture
The human face has 14bones and any one of those bones can be broken and cause the facial shape to change.
Burn Injury
An explosion or a fire can occur after a car accident causing the skin to get burned. The injuries can be serious enough to require skin grafting, which almost always leaves permanent scars.
Eye Injury
Flying objects and debris in car accidents can cause serious eye injury and even blindness.
Lacerations
You could experience deep cuts on the face after a car accident that could leave permanent scars.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of injuries following a car accident and they can significantly impact your facial esthetics and functions.
Scars and Disfigurement from a Work Injury
You can be the victim of a scarring accident from work if your workplace has unsafe working conditions or safety measures aren’t adhered to. You can get compensation for your injuries through workers’ compensation. In some instances, you might also be able to file a personal injury claim. However, you should know that if you file for workers compensation, you cannot file a personal injury claim unless:
- Your employer demonstrated gross misconduct or intentionally caused you harm
- An employee intentionally caused you harm
What is Covered Under the Workers Compensation Policy?
Scars from a Defective or Dangerous Product
You can file a lawsuit against manufacturers and distributors for the manufacture and distribution of products that cause injuries to others. Examples of defective products include cars with faulty brakes, gadgets that explode, appliances that cause electrical injuries, and so on.
Back in August 2016, Samsung released their Galaxy Note 7 which went viral because dozens of them overheated and exploded causing personal injury and property damage. The phone was recalled in September the same year but lawsuits were filed against the company.
Among some of the injuries caused by the Samsung phones include second and third-degree burns and property damage.
How Much Can You Get from a Scarring Claim?
The amount of compensation depends on:
Emotional Impact of the Scarring
A permanent scar in a visible area of the body such as the face can affect someone’s confidence and self-esteem. This can affect their ability to go back to work or even to look for work, it can impact their social life and it can affect how they take care of themselves. The emotional impact can also affect those who live with the scar victim.
Physical Pain and Suffering
You can experience physical pain with your scars especially if the scar is located near a joint. A scar can also bar you from certain work opportunities such as modeling, sales, and so on.
Location of the Scar
If the scar is located on a part of the body that is not usually covered by clothing, such as the face, neck or hands then you might be entitled to much higher compensation than if the scar was located on your back.
Treatment of the Scar
Can the scar be completely removed, is it a permanent one, or how long will it take to fade?
Your Age
Courts and insurance companies usually assume that the older a scarring victim is, the lesser the impact of the scarring and disfigurement.
Your Profession
We’ve already mentioned that your profession might be affected by your scarring and you might require occupational therapy to help you find another job.
Consult with a New Bedford Scarring Claim Lawyer Today
A skilled scarring claims attorney in New Bedford, MA, is essential to have on your side when navigating scarring and deformity claims. They will examine the specifics of your case, evaluate the value of your claim, and put in the effort to assist you in obtaining the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. Book a consultation with our New Bedford scarring claim lawyer right now rather than attempting to navigate the legal system alone.
