While all kinds of injuries may negatively impact you during your life, disfigurement is most obvious. Disfigurement may be caused by all kinds of wounds ranging from chemical or heat burns to crushing injuries or amputations.
Disfigurement may cause pain physically and psychologically. On top of that, the obvious difference in appearance may cause social issues that are a recurring theme in your life.
After a disfiguring injury, it is your right to seek compensation. You may use that compensation to cover expenses related to plastic surgery or to help you afford prostheses. You may also want to seek compensation to help you maintain your lifestyle while you focus on your health and recovery.
What are the common causes of disfigurement?
The common causes of disfigurement include:
- Muscle contracture, which is when the connective tissues become constricted because of a lack of movement, scarring or other issues
- Scarring from serious injuries such as burns or lacerations
- Amputations of limbs
- Facial paralysis
- Head and neck cancer
Not all disfigurement is a result of acquired injuries. Other possible causes could include:
- Congenital causes, like cleft lip and palate
- Medical conditions like eczema and vitiligo
The good news is that there are often surgeries or other treatments to help minimize the impact of these injuries or illnesses. Unfortunately, it may be impossible to reverse some types of disfigurement, and in those cases, patients will need to be treated on a case-by-case basis to find the best solutions for their care.
What is the goal in a personal injury case regarding disfigurement?
In a personal injury case for disfigurement, your attorney’s main goal is to help you return to the same position you would have been in before the injury. Since disfigurements are not always reversible and may be costly to care for, your attorney will help you seek fair compensation for the impact that it will have, and has had, on your life. Good compensation will help you afford better medical treatment options and take steps to improve your life as you heal.
