When you are injured because of the negligent decisions of another person, the injuries you’ve endured may heal over time. However, you may be left with a permanent reminder of the pain you endured and the trauma you experienced if you are left with scarring or disfigurement. Unfortunately, these matters can be difficult to navigate, which is why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced Broward County personal injury attorney to explore your legal options. You’ll also want to keep reading to learn more about these difficult matters.
Are There Different Types of Scarring and Disfigurement?
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that all scarring is a form of disfigurement. However, disfigurement is not only relegated to scarring. However, scars are typically caused by injuries that penetrate the deep layers of skin. When these wounds heal, the body can produce collagen to help bind the skin back together. This collagen can cause a raised and thick appearance.
Disfigurement occurs anytime someone’s physical appearance is drastically and permanently altered, often caused by injury, though illnesses can also result in disfigurement. For example, an amputation, enucleation, bone fractures that don’t heal correctly, and facial trauma can all result in permanent changes to someone’s appearance.
In addition to physical changes, scarring and disfigurement can also carry physical challenges. For example, these injuries can cause nerve damage, sensitivity, chronic pain, and limited mobility.
However, the most common impact that scarring and disfigurement can have is on emotions. Because these injuries can drastically alter your physical appearance, you may have reduced self-esteem or identity issues. Additionally, the scarring or disfigurement can serve as a constant reminder and visible trigger of the pain and anxiety you’ve suffered.
What Compensation Am I Eligible to Recover?
It’s important to understand what compensation you can seek if you choose to file a claim for the damages you’ve suffered due to the negligence of another person. In most instances, you can seek economic damages, which represent monetary losses. Generally, these can be easily calculated, like property damage or medical bills. As such, you can fight to recover any money you spent towards medical bills to treat the injury, procedures for the scarring, physical therapy to help you adapt to the disfigurement, or medication resulting from the accident.
However, you can also seek compensation for emotional damages. Also called non-economic damages, these reflect the non-tangible losses you may have suffered as a result of the scarring you’ve suffered. This includes mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and even lost romantic opportunities. It’s important to understand, however, that these can be harder to calculate due to their subjective nature.
As you can see, these matters can be incredibly complicated to navigate. That is why our team is committed to helping guide you through these difficult times so you can focus on the next chapter of your life. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
