Key Takeaways
- For victims of personal injury cases resulting in facial injuries and other severe injuries, seeking legal action against the at-fault party could be critical.
- Our attorneys work with clients to determine if they can file a claim for their losses or seek civil action against those who hurt them.
- In a very limited estimation, the value of facial scarring accidents can range from $40,000 to $150,000 or more, which may not include other losses, including personal injury, pain and suffering, and even related injuries like traumatic brain injury.
- Your case may be worth far more than policy limits. Contact Matz Injury Law now to determine how we can help you maximize your claim.
It can be hard to put a value on a facial scar. Facial scars can happen in various types of injury cases, including a car accident, dog bite, or assault. When someone else causes your injuries, it becomes critical to determine the impact that scar will have on your future. Otherwise, it is challenging to estimate facial scar settlement amounts in Michigan.
Your losses after any type of injury case could include the cost of medical care, lost time at work, and pain and suffering. Yet, one of the most challenging types of losses relates to disfigurement. Even with medical treatment, many victims end up with significant scars that they continue to face in the mirror every morning.
If you were hurt in an accident and have facial scarring, let our legal team at Matz Injury Law help you pursue full and fair compensation for the losses you incurred and the resulting injury. We offer free consultations that can answer all of your questions.
Scarring Settlement Amount Factors
A person hurt by another party through negligent actions has the right to pursue financial compensation for their losses. Determining the fair and reasonable amount of money owed for scarring can be more complex than valuing a simple injury with a single medical bill.
Insurance companies also often do what they can to reduce or devalue the claim. If you are in an accident where facial scarring occurs, working with a personal injury attorney is critical to proving the value of your loss.
The value of scar injuries relates to various factors. Each person’s scar may be slightly different. The location, prominence, injury itself, and other losses will vary. The scar’s visibility may differ from one person to the next. Even factors such as age can matter. The value of a scar on a 70-year-old’s face may be different than the value on a 25-year-old’s face. A large scar may warrant a higher value than one that’s smaller or hidden in the facial folds.
Insurance companies will argue the value of any scar. Ultimately, they will determine whether the scar caused damage to the tissue’s health or nerves. They must also pay for the cosmetic embarrassment caused by a scar.
Common Factors Affecting Scarring Compensation Amounts
The most common factors that determine the value of a scar include:
- The age of the person hurt
- The permanency of the scar (will it improve or worsen over time)
- The gender and marital status of the person with the scar
- The color, size, and visibility of the scar
- The location of the scar, including whether it is on the face or body, but also how noticeable it is on the face
To determine the value of these scars, your personal injury attorneys must consider your losses carefully based on a combination of these factors.
Damages That Can Be Recovered For Permanent Facial Scarring
Also, note that the value of your accident may be much higher than just the value of the scar. It may include:
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Impact on quality of life
- Emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder
- Cost of future medical bills
- Medical expenses not related to just the facial injury
- Pain and suffering
Your personal injury attorney will navigate this process, including determining if you can pursue compensation for any or all of these areas. Factors like the type of accident case can also decide whether or not you can seek compensation.
Can You Pursue Legal Action for a Facial Scar?
It is always beneficial to speak to personal injury lawyers if you have any losses for which you can seek reimbursement. You may pursue legal action for a facial scar if you can show that someone was negligent and that negligence led to your injuries. To be negligent, the other party must:
- Owe you a duty of care
- Breach that duty of care in some way
- The breach causes the accident
- The accident causes you to suffer financial and physical injury
Various types of personal injury cases can fall under this rule. Some examples of negligence-related injuries that may cause facial injuries include:
- Dog bites
- Slip and fall accidents
- Car accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Truck accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Product liability
- Burn injuries
An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you understand if your case may qualify for legal action.
Considerations for a Michigan Auto Accident or Motorcycle Accident Case
Note that if you are in a car accident in Michigan, your right to pursue pain and suffering, and disfigurement is dependent on the value of your case. Since the state is a no-fault state, your PIP insurance coverage may cover your medical expenses and lost wages as a starting point. However, if you can show extensive losses related to disfigurement, you may be able to pursue compensation against the at-fault driver.
Accident victims benefit from working with a law firm when dealing with these more complex personal injury cases. If you have permanent scarring, contact our legal team to discuss your losses and your right to take legal action.
How Much is Permanent Facial Scar Compensation Worth in an Injury Settlement?
When filing a personal injury claim, your losses will depend on the severity of your injuries, the cause, the impact on your health, medical expenses, emotional well-being, mental health, and other factors. Each person’s situation is vastly different. Typically, facial scars with permanent damage range from $40,000 to $150,000, but more severe scarring may be worth more.
In cases in which there is more damage than just scarring, for example, amputation, nerve damage, mobility loss, or other implications, the value could rise substantially. Seek legal advice before settling your case with an insurance adjuster.
Other Damages for Facial Scarring That Impact Average Settlement
Various other factors can impact the value of your case. Some examples include:
- Economic losses, including medical bills and lost time at work
- Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering and emotional trauma
- Loss of bodily function, including due to nerve damage or amputation
- Loss of quality of life
- Future medical costs
- Future cosmetic-related medical costs
- Emotional distress and impact on your mental health
Note that you may not be able to claim all of these losses. Each case is vastly different. During a case evaluation, our attorneys will tell you more about the full impact of your injury on your health, well-being, and future, as well as how to value these losses.
The Impact on Payout of Plastic Surgery
Another factor to consider when recovering damages from a facial injury relates to the cosmetic or plastic surgery that may apply to your situation. You may be able to go to a plastic surgeon, for example, to repair and minimize the visibility of facial lacerations after a motor vehicle accident.
However, plastic surgery does not permanently remove scars. It may lessen the scars’ visibility but not remove them entirely. Keep the following in mind:
- Most scars remain to some degree
- The stigma of facial scars may continue beyond the removal process
You may be owed compensation for that damage. It could impact your self-confidence, mental health, and overall quality of life. If you need reconstructive surgery, the settlement value may increase.
How the Legal Process Works for Facial Scar Compensation Claims
If you were hurt in any type of accident and have facial scars, the following process can be expected:
Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation with your accident attorneys, you will discuss your accident and who you believe is at fault. If you sustained an injury due to a motor vehicle accident, your car accident lawyers will discuss coverage under your PIP insurance policy claims and your ability to pursue additional compensation for further losses.
Evidence Gathering
Your attorney will begin to build your body of evidence next. To do this, they will look at all factors related to your case, including witness statements, the severity of your injuries according to your doctor’s information, and documentation of financial losses. Evidence-gathering aims to accomplish two factors:
- Determine who is responsible for your injuries, including naming all parties involved
- Determine the value of those injuries
File a Demand for Compensation From the Insurer
Depending on the type of injury that causes your losses, it is then possible for your attorney to submit a demand for compensation.
Negotiations
Your attorney will negotiate with the adjusters to answer questions and prove the value of your losses. Most of the time, some back-and-forth is related to determining fair compensation.
Settlement
In many situations, your attorney and the insurance company will agree to fair compensation in a settlement. This allows both parties to agree to a dollar amount and to move on.
Lawsuit Legal Actions
In some situations where both parties cannot agree, the next step is to file a lawsuit against the applicable, at-fault party. This process will allow a jury and judge to determine what fair compensation may be in your case.
Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law to Maximize Claims and Verdicts
Matz Injury Law has helped victims achieve recovery of damages after facial injuries decimated their physical health, emotional well-being, and future. We have helped victims recover millions of dollars in compensation owed to them. We can help you with the same passion and aggressive legal action.
Testimonials
“Jared Matz of Matz Injury Law is an excellent attorney. He is very knowledgeable and I would highly recommend him to anyone needing assistance in matters of law. He goes above and beyond for his clients and has wonderful caring attitude.” — Carl R.
“My family is grateful for Steve Matz’s professional handling of our case. Steve was very thorough, candid, responsive, and strategic in his approach throughout our legal proceedings. If ever in a situation again like my family has experienced over the past year, we would immediately retain Matz Injury Law to represent our interests. Thank you Steve.” — John P.
Get Compensated After an Accident Leaves You With Scars
With years of experience serving much of Michigan, including the Ann Arbor area, Matz Injury Law provides exceptional legal support for victims from the start of their cases all the way through receiving compensation. Contact us now by calling 1-866-22NOT33 today or fill out our contact form online.
