How Much Is Your Scar Worth? Factors Affecting Compensation for Permanent Disfigurement
If you have been injured in North Carolina as a result of a car accident (that wasn’t your fault), the law entitles you to recover for several types of damages, including permanent scarring. This is also referred to in law as “permanent disfigurement “.
How much is your scar worth? This depends on several things. Various factors such as the size of the scar, the location of the scar, coloring of the scar, the age of the injured person and sometimes the sex of the injured person will be taken into consideration by an insurance company or a jury. If a scar is permanent, you’re entitled to recover the value of that disfigurement calculated over the remainder of your life. Courts will typically use NCGS 8–46 to predict a person’s future life expectancy for purposes of calculating damages. In general, the younger the person, the more valuable the scar becomes. The more obvious a scar is, the more valuable it becomes as well. For example, facial scarring is much more valuable than a scar on the bottom of your foot. The bigger the scar, the more money it is worth.
One other factor to be considered when evaluating permanent disfigurement is the cost of cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of the scar. Sometimes it is possible to cut out the scar. This is called scar excision. This can often improve, but seldom eliminate, the appearance of disfigurement. There are also laser therapies, skin peels and other cosmetic procedures that can reduce the appearance of a scar. These procedures are typically expensive, and the cost of those procedures can often be added to your case to increase the value.
Bradley Law Group: Fighting for Fair Compensation for Permanent Disfigurement Victims
Bradley Law Group has dealt with permanent disfigurement cases for more than 20 years. We have worked with plastic surgeons, and we know how to build the evidence that will increase the value of a scarring case. If you have permanent disfigurement as a result of a car accident, call Bradley Law Group to discuss your case. Don’t take on the insurance company without Bradley Law Group on your side. Let’s work together to get you the best result possible!