How Much Is a Scar Worth in a Lawsuit?
You may be entitled to compensation for scars and disfigurements resulting from an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Scarring from a serious injury can be a daily, permanent reminder of the violent event that caused it, making it harder for the accident victim to move on from the trauma. Scars can also negatively impact a person’s self-esteem and quality of life. How much compensation you are entitled to depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the scar and its location on the body. Facial scars, being more conspicuously visible, tend to be worth more than scars that can be concealed by clothing. Scarring in children tends to be more compensable than with adults, since the child will have to live with the scars for more years, and because scars can have a more detrimental impact on a child’s sense of self-worth than that of an adult.
Common causes of compensable scars
There are a number of potential causes of a scar, including the following:
- Lacerations or cuts sustained in an automobile accident, whether due to impact, airbag explosions, or shattered glass
- Scars sustained due to a botched plastic surgery, possibly giving rise to a claim of medical malpractice
- Scars resulting for an animal bite or attack, with dog bites being the most common
- Scars resulting from burn injuries
- Scars resulting from a physical altercation
Contact Ellis Injury Law to see how much your case is worth
If you or someone you love has suffered from scarring as a result of an accident, it is important to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side.
With over a quarter of a century of experience representing and advocating for Southern Californians in these types of cases, the Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Ellis Injury Law have recovered over $350 million for our clients.
Compensation for scars in lawsuits
Damages that you may be eligible for:
- Medical expenses: These can range from reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, skin grafts, scar removal treatment, or plastic surgery, whether in the past, present, or future.
- Loss of quality of life: Scarring or disfigurement can affect a person’s ability to find a partner, get married, secure employment, or enjoy recreational activities.
- Pain and suffering: Severe disfigurement and scarring can cause extensive mental anguish both in the present and future.
Factors that are considered to determine financial recovery
Factors that contribute to how much financial compensation to award a victim for scars or disfigurement include:
- The age of the victim: The general rule when it comes to liability is that the younger the victim is, the greater the financial award.
- The gender of the victim: Juries and insurance adjusters tend to view scarring on a female as more serious than scarring on a male.
- The location of the scar(s): Scars that are visible even while fully clothed are typically considered to be more serious in nature than scars that are easily concealed by everyday clothing. Facial scars are typically worth the most.
- The permanency of the scar: How long will the scar last? Can it be removed or at least improved via plastic surgery?
- Lack of mobility: Some scars cause a temporary – or even permanent – restriction on the victim’s mobility in a certain part of their body.
- The victim’s current or desired profession: Some professions place more value than others on the physical appearance of the employee.
- Whether or not the victim is already married: Some scars may impact a person’s ability to find a spouse, so if a victim is already married, that may affect his or her financial recovery.
- The color of a scar against the skin: In general, the more pronounced it is, the more the victim will be able to recover.
- Psychological injuries: Many scars cause a significant degree of embarrassment in the victims for the rest of their lives. Additionally, these scars serve as painful reminders on a daily basis of a traumatic event in the victim’s life.
Call now for your 100% free case review
If you or a loved one has suffered from scarring as a result of an accident, we are here to help. Call our personal injury attorneys today for your free consultation. Our phone lines are open 24 hours per day, and with the Ellis Guarantee, we don’t make a dime unless you win.