Permanent Scar Compensation – How To Claim Disfigurement Compensation

Are you suffering from permanent scarring that was caused by no fault of your own? If so, you may be eligible to start a personal injury claim to receive permanent scar compensation.

If you have suffered from deep cuts or lacerations, this may result in permanent scarring that develops once your wounds have healed. Depending on the depth or size of your wound, scars may fade over time. However, others may not and remain noticeable for the entirety of your life. As such, if your permanent scarring was caused by the negligent conduct of a person who owed you a duty of care, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation.

This guide will explain the eligibility criteria for starting a claim. Additionally, we look at how compensation could be awarded as well as provide information about the common causes of disfigurement. . Moreover, it will explain the claims process and how our panel of solicitors can help you on a No Win No Fee basis. Once you reach the end of this guide, you will have access to more information on personal injury claims.

For more information on permanent scar compensation claims:

A man in a shopping centre with a large scar running the length of his face.

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Am I Eligible To Claim For Permanent Scarring?

If you want to claim permanent scar compensation, you must meet the following claims eligibility criteria:

  • You must be owed a duty of care at the time of injury.
  • This duty was breached.
  • This breach must result in your permanent scarring.

A few examples of the types of scars you could suffer include:

  • Scar contractures- a permanent scar when the skin has shrunk and contracted.
  • Keloid scars- when a wound heels with no dressing or treatment causing large dark coloured welts.
  • Flat and pale scars- may present a cosmetic issue but does not impact the regular function of the skin.

Contact us today about the accident that caused your permanent scarring. You may be entitled to compensation.

Examples Of Permanent Scar Compensation Amounts

Each person who claims for permanent scar compensation will likely receive a different award. This is because the circumstances of each case are different. However, below are some illustrative examples of how compensation could be awarded and what expenses you may claim for.

What Can Be Taken Into Consideration As Part Of Your Claim?

If your claim is successful, you may be awarded compensation for your permanent scarring. Your settlement may be split into two heads of claim: general damages and special damages.

General damages compensate you for your permanent scarring and any psychological suffering this may have caused. Your general damages are reviewed by a particular team who may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), a document that provides guidelines as to how much compensation you could be awarded for each injury.

Here are a few of the scarring injury figures from the JCG. Additionally, there’s a figure in the top row (not taken from the JCG) that illustrates how you can be compensated for more than one injury and related expenses. Please note that this table is only a guide.

InjuriesCompensation GuidelineExplanation
Severe Injuries and Significant Financial LossesUp to £250,000 plusSuccessful claimants may be compensated for multiple injuries and related costs, including lost wages and cosmetic surgery.
Burns Covering 40% or More of the BodyMay exceed £127,930 This award depends on the percentage of the body covered by burns, if the burns are at full thickness, partial thickness or superficial, the cosmetic impact, if surgery was completed, if it resulted in psychical disability and psychological impact.
Very Severe Facial Scarring£36,340 to £118,790 For claimants in their teens to early 30s where the cosmetic effect is disfiguring and they also experience psychological suffering.
Less Severe Facial Scarring£21,920 to £59,090Disfigurement is substantial and claimant suffered a significant psychological reaction.
Significant Facial Scarring £11,120 to £36,720Worst scarring is reduced by plastic surgery with minimal cosmetic disability but some psychological suffering.
Less Significant Facial Scarring £4,820 to £16,770One scar or multiple small ones. Cases involving a single scar (not hyperpigmented or keloid) that may be hidden.
Trivial Facial Scarring£2,080 to £4,310Cases of only minor impact.
Multiple Noticeable Laceration Scars or One Disfiguring Scar£9,560 to £27,740A number of laceration scars or one disfiguring scar of the leg(s), arm(s), hand(s) back or chest.
Several Superficial Scars Or One Noticeable Scar £2,890 to £9,560A single noticeable scar or multiple superficial scars of the leg(s), arm(s), hand(s) alongside minor cosmetic deficit.

Some injuries may result in you suffering from financial losses, but you may claim these back under the special damages.

Here are some examples of what you can claim for under special damages:

  • Loss of workplace income for time off to recover.
  • Work benefits such as holiday entitlement and pension contributions.
  • Medical and travel costs.
  • Cosmetic surgery costs.
  • Any money spent on specialised scar reduction creams and oils.

To claim special damages, you must provide evidence of the losses you incurred. Some examples include:

  • Workplace income documents
  • Bank statements
  • Bills/receipts

Assessing The Severity Of Your Injuries

If you have sustained injuries in an accident that was not your fault and are seeking permanent scar compensation, you may be asked to go to an independent medical assessment.

During this assessment, a medical professional will determine the extent of your injuries, the prognosis and what treatment may be required to help your recover. They will then compile a report on their findings and give it to your solicitor, which may be used as evidence in your claim.

Do You Get More Compensation For Facial Scarring?

If you are suffering from permanent facial scarring, then you may be entitled to more compensation for this rather than scarring on the rest of your body. This is in accordance with scarring figures presented in the Judicial College Guidelines. For example:

  • If you are suffering from very severe facial scarring, you may be awarded £36,340 to £118,790.
  • Whereas if you are suffering from a number of noticeable laceration scars or one single disfiguring scar, you may be awarded £9,560 to £27,740.

However, this is only for the scarring. Other factors, such as loss of amenities, financial losses and other injuries, may increase your compensation as well as the psychological impact.

To claim compensation for facial scarring, contact us today. We can assess the circumstances of your accident and advise on whether you have good grounds to move forward with a claim. Additionally, we can calculate how much permanent scar compensation you could be able to claim.

Common Causes Of Scarring

There are many situations when accidents may arise, resulting in permanent scarring. Here are some examples of common causes of scarring and how others may be responsible:

Accidents at work – your employer has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to take reasonable and practicable actions to ensure your health and safety at work. For example, if your employer failed to provide protective equipment and you sustained chemical burns resulting in scarring you may be eligible to claim.

Public liability – anyone in control of a public place has a duty under the Occupiers’ Liability 1957 to ensure you are reasonably safe while in that space. Therefore, if a coffee shop worker failed to secure the lid on a hot drink and spilt boiling water on you, you may suffer burn scars and you may be eligible to claim.

Road traffic accidents – all road users have a duty to use roads safely and in a reasonable manner to avoid accidents. This is supported by the Highway Code and also under the Road Traffic Act 1988. For example, you might be using a zebra crossing when a driver fails to stop and hits you. If this caused permanent scarring or another injury, you may be eligible to claim.

Call us today to find out if you have good grounds to claim permanent scar compensation.

How To Start Your Claim

Beginning a claim may appear to be a daunting experience, however, there is nothing to worry about and our panel can help you. Here is some key information before you start your claim.

Gathering Evidence To Support Your Claim

If you want to start a permanent scar compensation claim, then you must be able to prove that this happened because of the negligent conduct of a liable party. Some ways you can do this include:

  • Obtaining CCTV/dashcam footage of your accident.
  • Obtaining a copy of the accident report book.
  • Taking photographs of your injuries and the accident scene.
  • Obtaining witness contact details if they’re willing to give statements later on.

The word evidence spelt out in letter blocks.

Is There A Time Limit For Making A Claim?

In personal injury claims, you must begin the claim within three years of the accident, in accordance with the Limitation Act 1980. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.

For example, a litigation friend may handle the claim if an injured party are unable to do so themselves. If a litigation friend is appointed, they must act in the best interests of the injured person, sign legal documents and make key decisions.

Litigation friends may be appointed if:

  • The injured person is a child. However, if a child is injured, the three year time limit will begin when they turn eighteen.
  • The injured person lacks mental capacity and this is recognised under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. However, if the injured person regains their mental capacity, the three year time limit will begin and they must go through the claims process themselves.

No Win No Fee Agreements

If you are concerned about the cost of legal help, there is no need to worry. Our panel of solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that you can have the support of a specialist solicitor through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).

When a solicitor offers their services under a CFA, they won’t:

  • Ask you to pay upfront or ongoing fees towards their work on your claim for permanent scar compensation.
  • Charge for their service if your claim is unsuccessful.

If your claim is successful, a legally capped small percentage of your compensation will be used to pay for the work our panel has completed to win your case. However, our panel will discuss this success fee before you begin your claim.

How Our Panel Of Solicitors Can Help

Starting a claim may be a stressful time for you, however, our panel of experienced solicitors are here to support you as they are specialists in personal injury claims.

There are many ways our panel can help you, some ways they do this include:

  • Walking you through the claims process.
  • By helping you obtain evidence.
  • By explaining key legal documents and terminology.
  • Filing your claim within the time limit.
  • Negotiate settlements with third parties.
  • Represent you if your case goes to trial, but our panel will try and resolve your claim at at early stage to avoid this.

To find out if you can start a claim with our experienced panel today:

A No Win No Fee solicitor at a table with paperwork about permanent scar compensation.

More Information

To learn more about personal injury claims, visit the following links:

References:

We hope this guide helped you understand permanent scar compensation. If you have any further questions about personal injury claims, or would like us to assess your eligibility to claim, please get in touch.