On average, over 100 million patients acquire scars across the developed world each year. These scars can be caused by various problems during a medical procedure or surgery. There are 55 million elective surgeries and 25 million procedures after trauma-related accidents. Some of these medical procedures can cause substantial problems, which lead to scarring that can last a lifetime.
Too often, traumatic injuries result in lasting injuries, like scarring and disfigurement. Whether it is from an automobile accident, heavy machinery accident, dog bite, burn, or amputation, visible scarring and disfigurement can be embarrassing and, in some cases, can permanently change a person’s life. It can deprive them of particular jobs and their overall quality of life, whether it be the loss of friends or potential partners.
A person's challenges after suffering an accident that results in scarring and disfigurement can be devastating. If you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, consult an experienced attorney who has the experience in cases like yours. At The Cochran Firm, our personal injury attorneys understand the significant challenges scarring and disfigurement can cause a victim. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
Suffering any type of injury can cause immediate, physical damage that can be devastating, but many people don’t think of the lasting complications these traumatic injuries leave. Many patients who suffer injuries are left with permanent imperfections–scars and disfigurements– that serve as a physical reminder of their situation's trauma and emotional harm.
Scars are a natural part of the body’s healing process and result from the biological function of wound repair within the skin and surrounding tissues. Scars form when a deep, thick layer of the skin (dermis) is damaged. Most scars, except for minor ones, result in some extent of scarring.
Scars result from the skin being opened and wounded due to an accident or surgical operation. They may occur following an injury from an automobile accident, animal attack, or other serious accident; however, they may arise from an utterly uneventful injury, such as a minor scrape or cut.
Scars may look thick and red, but the majority fade and heal over time. Several factors influence the way a scar will ultimately look, like the type, location, size, and severity of the injury, how the injury was treated, and genetic factors. There are three different types of scars, including:
The look of a fully healed scar can be enhanced by surgical procedures, dermabrasion, laser treatment, topical treatments, radiotherapy, microdermabrasion, microneedling, and more. However, a scar will never resemble the appearance of the skin before the injury occurred. For many people, scars remind people of a painful time in their lives and can drastically change their quality of life if the scar is on a rather prominent part of the body like the face, chest, or extremities.
Disfigurement is the state of a person’s appearance that is deeply and persistently harmed medically by a birth defect, disease, or wound. For example, a burn, scar, skin texture, missing body limb, or an abnormally-shaped body part can affect a person’s appearance. Disfigurement can lead to depression, negative body images, constant concern about other people's reactions to the disfigurement, difficulties in one's social, sexual, and professional lives, and other issues.
A variety of accidents, including automobile accidents, heavy machinery accidents, animal attacks, amputation, burns, etc., can all lead to a person becoming disfigured. Acts of violence, such as assault, can also lead to disfigurement. Along with the initial injury that caused the disfigurement, which is traumatic enough, the physical reminder of your trauma can create additional emotional and mental stress that sometimes leads to depression or suicidal thoughts.
Cosmetic surgeries, such as plastic or reconstructive surgery can often help a person minimize the look of the disfigurement. Although surgery can sometimes fix the disfigurement altogether, that is not always the case. In addition, these surgeries are expensive and, in many cases, extremely risky. Being able to recoup financial compensation after an injury has occurred can go a long way towards fully and healthily recovering from that injury and any lasting physical complications that may go with it.
Most accidents can lead to scarring of any part of the body. Some of the most common causes include:
All of the accidents above can cause a victim not only physical damage but also emotional damage. Many of the injuries that these victims face will result in long-term care, whether that be multiple surgeries, continued therapy (both mental and physical), or a combination of both.
If the accident you suffered from is not listed above, it does not mean you do not have a scarring and disfigurement case. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today for your free, no-obligation initial consultation today.
Like many other personal injury lawsuits, a plaintiff trying to recoup damages from scarring and disfigurement that were the result of an accident caused by another party must establish four elements by a prevalence of the evidence:
Both noneconomic and economic damages are available for scarring and disfigurement victims. The financial portion of damages usually includes medical bills, loss of income, and future loss of income.
Noneconomic damages are typically composed of pain and suffering as well as mental anguish. These damages will vary depending on what a juror believes is a natural reaction to the standard and location of the scarring or disfigurement that a victim has suffered.
The value of a scar or disfigurement will be different for everyone. Each insurance company and its adjusters will see the value of a victim's scar or disfigurement much different than the victim. However, some factors that are considered when deciding what the value of any scar or disfigurement is, include:
If you can prove that your scarring and disfigurement were due to the negligence of another party, that party can most likely be held liable for any damage you have already suffered as well as future corrective damages they may face. If you are unsure of the cause of your injury, contact our trusted attorneys at The Cochran Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
If you are injured in a way that leads to permanent scarring and disfigurement because of another person’s negligence, you most likely will be able to make a claim for damages. You could potentially be entitled to:
The monetary figure of the damage will depend on:
Scarring and disfigurement can considerably change a person's life. The treatments they will need are pricey, may need to be repeated, and could potentially not result in any significant improvement. Even with care from top-rated medical professionals, scarring and disfigurement victims can still suffer life-long changes to their appearance.
Sometimes a disfigured victim may need counseling/therapy for their emotional distress, mental anguish, and pain and suffering. Scarring and disfigurement are among the kind of severe and permanent injuries that sometimes allow an automobile accident victim to seek non-economic damages rather than only economic damages through their own no-fault benefits.
The settlement of a scar or disfigurement case will vary depending on the characteristics of the accident victim. For example, insurance companies and jurors will treat a young lady with a facial scar differently than someone who suffers scarring on their abdomen. It is assumed that young women will undergo more significant stress due to their altered appearance. Furthermore, the face can be harder to treat because the tissues and muscles are more complicated in this part of the body. In addition, an accident victim whose career depends on her appearance, such as a model or actress, can most times recover a larger amount of noneconomic damages than a more introverted, elderly, or male accident victim.
If you have suffered a scar or disfigurement, it is essential to ensure that your doctor has documented it in your medical records and has recorded if there is a permanent or remaining effect. It is also crucial for your doctor to note if it has caused you to lose mobility in the affected area. These medical records will support your claim to the defendant’s insurance company or the jury for the compensation you are pursuing. The more documented evidence you have against the negligent party, the better your chances are to collect the compensation you deserve.
At The Cochran Firm, our experienced attorneys have what it takes to fight for the compensation that you deserve. We understand the devastation that scarring and disfigurement leave and how they can affect your life. If you or a loved one has suffered from scarring or disfigurement, contact our personal injury attorneys today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
Johnnie Cochran had long dreamed of creating a national law firm of men and women from all races, religions, creeds, and backgrounds to show how well we could all work together to make the world a better place. When Mr. Cochran started The Cochran Firm, his mission was “a journey to justice.” Today, with more than 35 offices across more than 20 states, the attorneys at The Cochran Firm work every day to fulfill that dream and continue that mission by working for our clients with the same work ethic and dedication to justice exemplified by Mr. Johnnie Cochran himself.
The Cochran Firm is a diverse group of highly skilled and experienced lawyers that are dedicated to bringing high-quality representation to injured people and their families. Our experienced attorneys at The Cochran Firm are among the nation’s most recognized and successful attorneys in the country. When navigating through the legal process, you deserve to have an experienced attorney by your side. Our attorneys at The Cochran Firm know how to fight for you.
Here at The Cochran Firm, each of our attorneys is ready to help victims receive the maximum compensation and financial recovery for all of their pain and sufferings. Our attorneys work closely with each of our clients using pooled resources and their access to legal expertise to ensure the most effective legal representation available is provided.
You need the help of an experienced attorney who has proven successful results in other similar cases to guide you through the process and help you to receive the monetary damages you are entitled to under the law. The Cochran Firm’s results have been well documented and demonstrated both in the courtroom and at settlement conferences. At The Cochran Firm, we have the offices, the experience, the results, and the resources to aid clients throughout the United States.
If you’re looking for an experienced personal injury attorney to help you pursue justice for your scarring and disfigurement, please contact our attorneys at The Cochran Firm today for your free, no-obligation initial consultation. We serve the entire country with offices in many major U.S. cities.
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