Facial Scarring Compensation

Claiming for damage to the face

Unlike other injuries, facial scarring is unlikely to lead to a loss of income unless you are a model, an actor with no talent or are employed in an industry catering for our more lascivious desires. Despite this, it is still possible to claim compensation if you have been afflicted by a visage-altering tissue re-growth.

Facial scarring classification

There are many situations that may result in someone suffering from a facial scar. If you have been such a victim and someone else is responsible, you may be able to claim compensation. It is not only lacerations that can result in scars; burns, both chemical and from heat sources, can also leave you disfigured. Road traffic accidents, chemical spills, hot implements and medical negligence are just some of the possible accidents that you can claim for if they cause you facial scarring.

Some scars heal as they should do. However, an overexpression of collagen could cause a hypertrophic, atrophic or even a keloid scar. Hypertrophic scars are scars that grow slightly above the wound, atrophic scars cause a slight depression in the skin surface, and keloid scars occur when the scar tissue continues to grow out of the scarred area to form growths over the normal skin, often causing pain, itchiness and terrible disfigurement.

Compensation claims

If you have been facially scarred and the responsibility of this lies with someone else, then you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a solicitor who will provide legal expertise on advancing your claim and advice on what you are likely to receive. To aid the case and the solicitor's projections a medical report from a plastic surgeon will be required, stating the extent of the scarring, any side effects and if any surgery could be undertaken to improve the situation.

In law, facial scarring compensation is very much dependent on gender and age. Women should expect to receive more than men and the young more than the old. A guide for compensation amounts for men is as follows:

• minor scarring - £1,000 to £2,200
• scarring that is visible from a short distance - £6,000 to £11,500
• severe scarring – maximum of £42,000.

A guide for compensation amounts for women is as follows:

• minor scarring - £1,000 to £2,200
• scarring that is visible form a short distance - £11,500 to £19,500
• severe scarring – maximum of £62,000.