Scarring and Disfigurement Lawyer
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Scars are what remain after the skin has been wounded. Once the wound closes, new skin grows over the area. While the skin of a scar may be a different shade or texture than the undamaged skin around it. Scars occur whenever the skin is opened and wounded due to accidents or surgical procedures. Scars commonly occur following injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, animal attacks, and other serious accidents, but scars can occur following even the most innocuous or otherwise uneventful injuries, such as simple scrapes and cuts.
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The look of a fully healed scar may be enhanced by surgical procedures, dermabrasion, or laser treatment, though a scar will never resemble the skin's appearance that was there before the wound occurred. For some people, scars may not only serve as a painful reminder of an injury, but they can also drastically affect their quality of life, especially if the scarring appears on a particularly visible part of the body such as the face, chest or extremities.
What Impacts Scars and Disfigurement
Scars initially may look red or thick, but most fade and heal over a period of time. Some people are prone to hypertrophic scars, which result in a red and raised bump over the original scar site. Others develop keloids, which are overgrowths of collagen that can grow beyond the size of the original wound. There are several factors that influence of how a scar will appear. These include:
- The type of scar,
- Location of scar,
- Size and severity of the original injury,
- How the wound was treated, and
- Genetic factors.
Scars
Accidents can leave behind both obvious and invisible wounds. While the initial injuries like lacerations and broken bones heal, they often leave behind scars, marks, discolorations, and other disfigurements. These are constant reminders to victims of the pain and suffering they went through. They are also visible flaws to others. From meeting romantic partners to being promoted at work, a disfigurement due to a serious accident can greatly alter a person’s daily life and future. A scar or disfigurement can be particularly distressing, especially when it is on the face. These effects can cast a dark cloud over the future of an accident victim, even when they have fully recovered from other physical injuries. At the Pascoe Law Firm, we help victims of scarring and disfigurement injuries obtain medical care and compensation.
Medical Treatment for People With Visible Scarring
If an injury scar is causing a deformity or restricting movement, medical procedures can be performed to help minimize the appearance and increase flexibility of the affected area. If scarring is minimal, it may be able to be treated with non-surgical options such as corticosteroid creams or injections. If the scarring is severe, it may require scar revision surgery.
- Scar Removal: The scar tissue is removed and the wound carefully healed to prevent further scar tissue. It can also involve only removing small portions of scar tissue, allowing it to heal with less restriction to movement and appear less visible.
- Dermabrasion: This refers to removing the upper layer of skin. This helps smooth and soften the scar tissue.
- Skin Grafting: Using skin from other areas of the body to replace the scar tissue is used when there is extreme damage and loss of mobility. This is generally more for function than appearance.
Disfigurement
Disfigurement is when a person has a scar, burn, skin texture, a missing body limb or a differently shaped body part that affects that person's appearance. Disfigurement may also lead to emotional or psychological distress over the concern of looking different from others. This can include negative body image, depression, concern about the reaction from other people in response to the disfigurement, and other problems.
Accidents of all kinds, including motor vehicle accidents, heavy machinery accidents, animal attacks, amputation, burns, and more, can all cause a person to become disfigured. Assault and other acts of violence can also lead to disfigurement. In addition to the initial injury that caused the disfigurement, which is traumatic in itself, having a physical reminder of your trauma can create emotional and psychological stress that causes other real issues in people, such as depression or suicidal thoughts.
Plastic or reconstructive surgery may be able to help a person who wants to minimize the look of the disfigurement. In some cases, surgery may fix the issue altogether. However, these operations are expensive and, in many cases, risky. Having the ability to collect financial compensation following an injury that causes scarring or disfigurement can go a long way towards being able to healthily recover from that injury, and any lasting physical complications that may go with it, such as scarring or disfigurement.
Factors Within a Disfigurement and Scarring Damages Claim
When you are negotiating an amount to compensate you for your disfigurement, there are many factors that may call for a higher or lower amount, including:
- Whether the disfigurement is permanent, long-term, or temporary
- The location of the scarring or disfigurement
- The size and extent of the disfigurement
- The effect on your professional, social, and romantic relationships
- The effect on your mental state, including resulting anxiety and depression
- Loss of mobility or flexibility
- Medical costs associated with disfigurement
- Medical aids and devices made necessary by the disfigurement
Contact a Texas Scarring and Disfigurement Attorney Today
At the Pascoe Law Firm, our experienced injury attorney provides legal representation to people who have suffered a scarring or disfigurement accident throughout Texas. If you have been suffering from disfigurement or scarring, contact us for a free assessment of your case by our attorney. We can be reached by phone at 713-829-4317 or visit our main personal injury page for more information.
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Webpage is intended solely for residents of Texas or Persons seeking representation within Texas. An Attorney-Client relationship only occurs when both parties agree that the Attorney will represent the Client and will not be created until that agreement occurs. Website and all of its pages is intended to be used for educational purposes and does not constituted as legal advice. All information on every page of the website does NOT suggest or claim that the attorney has a specialization in any area of legal practice or certification. Attorney not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specializations.
