Scarring and Disfigurement

Catastrophic accidents can result in serious scarring and disfigurement. The vestiges of your injuries may be in a hidden place and still cause embarrassment. If it is in a visible location, such as on the face, a scar can affect one's happiness, enjoyment of certain activities, ability to have a romantic relationship, or even ability to earn a living. If you have been involved in a devastating accident caused by someone else’s negligence in Los Angeles or the surrounding cities, you can discuss your case with the Los Angeles catastrophic injury attorneys at Sharifi Firm. We can guide you through the process of pursuing the damages that you need.

When a scar or disfigurement is the result of another person's negligence or wrongful conduct, you may be able to bring a civil action for compensatory damages. In addition to recovering for costs and losses such as your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you may be able to recover a separate element of damages for your scars or disfigurement.

In most California personal injury cases, you will need to prove negligence by a preponderance of the evidence. This means you will have to establish duty, a breach of duty, actual and proximate causation, and damages. For example, if you get into an accident because a truck driver rear-ends you after he failed to get the appropriate amount of rest, he likely has breached his duty to use due care while operating heavy machinery. If glass shatters and scars your face because he rear-ended you, you can potentially recover compensatory damages. If the defendant's actions are especially egregious, you may also be able to recover punitive damages.

It may be necessary to retain an expert to testify on the full scope of economic and noneconomic costs and losses associated with scars or disfigurement. One measure of what the damages should be for a scar is how much it will cost to correct a scar through plastic surgery.

Generally, a jury will perceive a visible scar or disfigurement as being more damaging than one that is hidden. Insurance adjustors are aware of this, and it may affect the amount of a settlement offer. You should retain an attorney who understands all the possible harm that is associated with scarring and disfigurement. A person with severe visible scars may be affected in his or her ability to marry and have children or feel good about themselves. In certain lines of work, there may be a professional impact. For example, a model who suffers a disfigurement on her face may not be able to work in that industry again. Similarly, an actress may not be able to get jobs with a disfigurement.

In some cases, scarring and disfigurement cause not only emotional pain but also inflexibility, loss of nerve sensitivity, or physical discomfort. For example, if you are badly scarred on your knee, it may be harder to move your knee, and you may be less mobile than you once were. This can mean you lose the ability to play basketball or go dancing or running.

Scarring and disfigurement can arise out of many different types of accidents, including motor vehicle collisions, dangerous property conditions, and workplace mishaps. In all cases, it is important to retain an attorney who has experience both with the practice area and the various aspects of harm that arise from scarring and disfigurement. If you have been involved in a catastrophic car accident or another harmful event, the Los Angeles lawyers at Sharifi Firm can tenaciously assert your rights. Our firm also represents injured individuals in Temecula, Riverside, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, and other Southern California cities. Contact us at (866) 422-7222 or via our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.