Some accidents are so serious that they cause permanent scarring and disfigurement. This includes physical injuries such as amputations and serious burns, as well as emotional and psychological scarring, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Physical scarring and disfigurement may be remedied to some extent by measures such as plastic surgery, prosthetics and rehabilitative therapy. Emotional scars may last a lifetime despite the best psychological counseling.
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, our experienced lawyers invest the time and resources to get full value for our clients’ scarring and disfigurement claims. We know how to calculate damages and justify it to an insurance adjuster or a jury.
Don’t settle for less. Contact us now to find out how we can help you.
Lasting Damage From Scarring and Disfigurement
Injuries that cause scarring and disfigurement may last a lifetime. The scar itself is a constant reminder of the accident, unless and until it can be eliminated through reconstructive plastic surgery. Scar tissue is less flexible than undamaged tissue and, depending on its location, may make it hard to bend and move.
In addition to physical suffering, the psychological problems that disfigurement and scarring can cause, such as loss of self-esteem and depression, can also affect victims.
Any type of accident – from car and motorcycle accidents to construction site injuries – can cause scarring and disfigurement. The most common types of scarring and disfigurement include:
- Burns. Second-degree burns, from fire, electrical current or corrosive chemicals, can cause scarring. Third- and fourth-degree burns are deep wounds that damage nerves, muscle, tendons and bones. Severe burns require extensive and repeated surgery and leave lasting marks.
- Injuries to the face. Serious cuts and lacerations on the face may cause disfigurement that is impossible to hide, deeply affecting the victim’s self-esteem.
- Amputation. The loss of a limb (arm, leg) or a digit (finger, toe) in an accident is a traumatic injury that is rarely reversible. Surgical amputation is sometimes required after an accident to prevent further damage to a body part or to save the victim’s life. Prosthetics can extend an amputee’s abilities in many cases after painstaking therapy.
- Dog bites and animal attacks. A mauling by a dangerous dog that has been allowed to run loose or even a family pet assumed to be docile may cause deep lacerations and tearing of the skin and other soft tissue. Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly children, suffer dog bites that require medical care every year.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD occurs when the shock (trauma) of an incident causes disabling stress sometime after the event. Even witnesses to horrible events can develop PTSD. Sufferers may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares, suffer emotional withdrawal from “survivor’s guilt,” or suffer continual stress or anger that causes outbursts, trouble sleeping or being easily startled.
Compensation for Scarring and Disfigurement
Recovery from an accident that causes scarring or disfigurement may be long and difficult, as well as expensive. In addition to medical costs, the lost income suffered during recovery may wreck household budgets. Loss of a limb affects the earning ability of most workers in construction or a skilled trade. Facial scarring may be financially harmful for salespeople, clerks, actors, models and other workers who interact with the public for a living.
All costs and losses must be calculated to develop a proper request for compensation after a catastrophic injury resulting in scarring or disfigurement. This includes ongoing medical treatment, therapy and any need for prosthetic or assistive devices.
It also includes determining losses due to diminished capacity to work or lost employment or career advancement opportunities. A key consideration is compensation for pain and suffering, emotional trauma and lost enjoyment of life.
The personal injury lawyer in Long Island at Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP have helped many people get the money they deserve after suffering scars and disfigurement in accidents on Long Island.
We work with investigators, medical professionals and financial specialists to ensure we fully document a case before we present compensation demands to insurers. If we go to court, we go prepared to win.
Call us now or fill out our simple contact form for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case and advice about your legal options.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic – Burns
- The Amputee Coalition
- Centers for Disease Control – Dog Bites
- WebMD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Long Island, call 516-358-6900
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information and may not be applicable in your jurisdiction.
