While many accident victims are able to fully physically recover after an accident, some victims bear the marks of their crash forever. Disfigurement injuries are those that alter a person’s appearance “deeply and persistently.” These scars or other disfigurements often cause injury victims embarrassment, and in more severe cases can be physically painful. They can keep victims from being able to work and can be the source of serious emotional distress. 
Common Injuries That Can Lead to Disfigurement
Disfiguring injuries can be caused by a wide range of accidents such as car crashes, work injuries, and using defective products. Serious injuries that can result in scarring and disfigurement include:
- Burns
- Deep lacerations
- Bone fractures
- Amputations
Addressing Medical Bills Related to a Disfigurement Injury
Disfiguring injuries can have a significant impact on a victim’s life moving forward. They often require lengthy medical treatment, and, even after appropriate care, may cause ongoing physical and emotional issues. Victims often require costly care for:
- Surgery
- Hospitalization
- Rehabilitation
- Medication
- Medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, etc.)
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Psychological counseling
Many of these costs are ongoing, meaning that victims and their families will need continuing compensation to ensure that these needs are met. This can be especially difficult if the injuries also prevent the victim from working in the way he did before the accident.
Returning to Work After a Disfiguring Injury
Getting back to work and normal life is the goal of most accident victims, but it simply may not be possible for those with a disfigurement injury. Life may be forever changed. For example, a leg amputee whose job requires standing all day may find the work impossible even after making as full a recovery as possible. This can limit an injury victim’s earning potential, both immediately and in the future. Because it’s not the fault of the accident victim, the person responsible for the injury can be made to provide compensation for this loss.
Compensation for Invisible Wounds After an Accident
In addition to payment for medical bills and lost earnings, accident victims are entitled to compensation for those wounds that are not as tangible. In Virginia, victims are able to obtain compensation for pain and suffering, which can refer to both physical and emotional trauma. Some disfiguring injuries can cause continuing pain and sensitivity, while others make a victim feel self-conscious, depressed, or anxious—especially injuries to the face.
Scars and disfigurement injuries leave accident victims with lasting and often painful reminders of their accidents. Those responsible for these injuries should and can be held responsible. Injury victims and their families may be able to obtain the compensation they need to recover as fully as possible and procure the services that can help them resume as normal a life as possible. Call us today to learn more about your rights, and find out how an attorney may be able to help.
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