When you think about injuries caused by car accidents, falls, and dog bites, you may think of head trauma, back and neck injuries, and broken bones. Disfigurement and scarring may not come to mind, but these injuries are something to consider. 

If you suffer deep lacerations, you will require medical treatment to close the wound. As this wound heals, it may look different from the surrounding skin. It may have a different color or texture. This can make a scar look unsightly. Depending on where it is located, it may affect your self-esteem. If you have a career that focuses on looks, such as acting or modeling, the scar could even affect your livelihood.

If you suffered scarring or disfigurement from an accident that someone else caused, you may be entitled to compensation. Physical and emotional injuries may be covered as well. Contact a scarring and disfigurement attorney from Poltielov Law Firm P.C. to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal rights. 

What Causes Scarring and Disfigurement?

Scarring and disfigurement can be caused by many type of accidents such as:

A Queens personal injury lawyer handles various cases where people have suffered harm due to someone else’s negligence. These cases can range from workplace injuries to wrongful death cases, depending on how the injury occurred.

Birth injuries can also lead to permanent damage. When healthcare providers make medical errors, families may need to seek compensation for the harm caused.

Is a Scar Considered Disfigurement?

Scars are considered disfiguring to some degree. Your disfigurement injury lawyer will assess your case and take into consideration the following:

  • Whether or not the scar requires reconstructive surgery
  • If the scar tissue could result in limited mobility
  • The location of the scar. For example, scars on the face tend to have a greater impact on the victim.
  • The impact of scarring or disfigurement on your occupation and livelihood

Personal injury cases often involve severe injuries that change someone’s life forever. A personal injury attorney can review your medical records and help prove how the injured party has been affected.

When someone has suffered severe scarring or permanent scarring, they may deal with chronic pain and emotional distress. These serious injuries deserve fair compensation for all the ways they impact daily life.

Can I Get Compensation for a Scar?

If you experience permanent scarring or disfigurement due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for damages. You could be entitled to the following:

  • Medical expenses. These costs may include expenses from doctors who treat the underlying injuries, plastic surgeons who perform reconstructive surgery, and psychologists who help the victim manage their emotional scars.
  • Compensation for pain and suffering, such as harassment from others and physical discomfort from the scarring or disfigurement 
  • Lost wages from not being able to work due to surgeries and other medical treatments

The amount of compensation you can receive depends on various factors, such as the location of the body part that is scarred or disfigured, the extent of the injury (how deep or severe it is), and the victim’s quality of life. A significant change in the quality of life would result in a higher amount of compensation.

Understanding Your Personal Injury Claim

Filing a personal injury claim requires detailed evidence of how the injury victims have been affected. Your Queens personal injury attorney will gather proof to show the full extent of your damages.

Medical bills and medical costs add up quickly after an accident. Future medical bills must also be considered when seeking substantial compensation. The insurance company often tries to settle for less than what the injured person deserves.

Economic damages include lost income and out of pocket expenses that result from the accident. These are costs you can prove with documentation and receipts.

Medical Malpractice and Scarring Injuries

Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet accepted standards of medical care. Medical negligence can lead to severe scarring that could have been prevented with proper treatment.

A Queens medical malpractice lawyer understands how medical mistakes happen and knows how to build strong medical malpractice cases. Whether the issue involves a surgical error or improper wound care, medical malpractice victims deserve justice.

Medical malpractice claims require expert testimony to prove negligence. Your Queens medical malpractice attorney will work with medical professionals who can explain how the healthcare provider fell short of acceptable standards.

Types of Damages Available in Scarring Cases

Accident victims who have suffered harm due to someone else’s actions can recover compensation through various types of damages. Understanding what you can claim helps you get the full amount you deserve.

Pain and suffering damages account for physical pain and emotional distress. These non-economic damages recognize that physical injury affects more than just your body.

When injuries lead to permanent disability, the injured party may never return to their previous quality of life. Spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injury cases often result in substantial compensation because of lifelong impacts.

Punitive Damages in Serious Cases

Punitive damages may be awarded when the person who caused the harm acted with extreme carelessness or intent. These damages punish wrongdoing and discourage similar behavior in the future.

In wrongful death situations, families can file a personal injury lawsuit on behalf of their loved one. Wrongful death cases involve both economic damages and compensation for the loss of companionship.

The legal process for proving someone is legally responsible involves showing they had a duty of care and failed to meet it. Your attorney will demonstrate how this failure caused your serious harm.

How Personal Injury Law Protects Scarring Victims

Personal injury law gives people the right to seek financial compensation when they have been hurt by someone else’s negligence. Queens personal injury attorneys help clients understand their rights under the law.

A personal injury lawyer provides legal representation throughout your case. From gathering evidence to negotiating with the insurance company, your legal team handles every step of your claim.

Many law firms, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and attorney fees come from your settlement only if you recover compensation.

Building a Strong Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Medical malpractice lawsuits require detailed documentation of how medical errors caused harm. Your law firm will collect medical treatment records and expert opinions to support your case.

The insurance company representing the healthcare provider will likely try to admit fault for as little as possible. Having skilled legal services on your side helps level the playing field.

In medical malpractice cases, proving that the healthcare provider deviated from accepted standards is key. Your attorney will show how proper medical care would have prevented your severe injuries.

Why Choose Our Queens Personal Injury Law Firm

Our team understands what Queens personal injury clients go through after experiencing serious injuries. We treat every client with respect and work hard to achieve fair settlements.

We offer a free consultation and a no-obligation initial consultation to discuss your case. During this meeting, we’ll review your situation and explain your options for pursuing financial compensation.

Our experience with personal injury cases means we know how to handle complex claims involving medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We fight for every dollar you deserve.

Our Approach to Medical Malpractice Claims

As experienced Queens medical malpractice lawyers, we understand the unique challenges of medical malpractice claims. We work with medical experts who can testify about how medical negligence caused your injuries.

Our law firm has helped numerous clients recover compensation after medical mistakes led to permanent harm. We know how to build compelling cases that result in fair compensation.

Whether you need help with a medical malpractice lawsuit or another type of personal injury claim, our team provides dedicated legal representation from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after suffering a disfiguring injury?

Seek medical attention right away, even if the injury seems minor at first. Document everything with photos and keep all medical records. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. The sooner you begin building your case, the stronger your evidence will be. Don’t speak to any insurance company representatives without legal advice, as they may try to get you to settle for less than you deserve.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim for scarring in Queens?

New York has specific time limits for filing personal injury lawsuits, typically three years from the date of injury for most cases. Medical malpractice cases have different rules, usually two and a half years from the date of the medical mistake or from the end of continuous treatment. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to seek compensation. Contact a Queens personal injury lawyer promptly to make sure your case is filed on time.

Will insurance cover my medical treatment for scarring and disfigurement?

Your health insurance may cover initial medical treatment, but it won’t compensate you for pain and suffering or lost income. The at-fault party’s insurance company is responsible for covering all damages related to the accident. This includes medical bills, future medical bills for reconstructive surgery, medical costs for therapy, and other expenses. A personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation from all available sources.

How much is my scarring injury case worth?

The value depends on many factors, including the severity and location of scarring, whether you have permanent disability, your medical expenses, lost wages, and how the injury affects your daily life. Cases involving severe scarring on visible areas like the face often result in higher settlements. Catastrophic injury cases with permanent scarring and serious harm typically receive substantial compensation. A Queens medical malpractice attorney or personal injury attorney can evaluate your specific situation during a free consultation.

What if the person who caused my injury doesn’t admit they were at fault?

Many people won’t admit fault after an accident, but your attorney can still prove negligence through evidence. This includes witness statements, accident reports, medical records, and expert testimony. In medical malpractice claims, your legal team will demonstrate how the healthcare provider failed to meet accepted standards. You don’t need the other party to admit responsibility for your personal injury claim to succeed. The evidence will show they are legally responsible for your damages.

Contact Us Today

Scarring and disfigurement may not seem like compensable injuries, but these types of injuries are permanent and can affect a person’s self-esteem and other aspects of their lives.  

Get the compensation you deserve from the team at Poltielov Law Firm P.C. Our disfigurement injury lawyers from Forest Hills, New York, are dedicated to our clients’ cases and will work hard to obtain a favorable outcome. Schedule a consultation today by calling (718) 880-2911, or contact us online.