Scars from an accident don’t just alter how you look; they can affect how you move, how you feel, and how you see yourself. Permanent scarring may lead to physical pain, limited mobility, and emotional distress, especially when the injury is visible or disfiguring.
If someone else’s negligence left you with permanent scarring, Florida law gives you the right to pursue compensation. And while medical bills are a part of that, your settlement should also reflect how your scars affect your daily life, emotional well-being, and confidence.
At Aigen Injury Law, our personal injury lawyers understand the lasting impact of scarring. We work to secure full and fair compensation, taking into account both physical and emotional harm, so you have the resources and support necessary to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Scarring Happens in Personal Injury Accidents
Scarring is one of the most common and lasting results of serious accidents. When skin is cut, torn, or burned, the body repairs itself with thick fibrous tissue that rarely looks or feels the same. Even with surgery or grafts, many injuries leave permanent reminders of trauma.
Many types of accidents, such as car crashes, workplace accidents, and slip-and-falls often cause deep wounds that heal unevenly or require stitches. Burn injuries can be even more severe. When heat, chemicals, or electricity destroy several layers of skin, the damage may extend into muscles and nerves.
Scars on the face, neck, or hands can cause the skin to tighten, limit movement, and result in permanent disfigurement. One study found that every burn survivor experienced anxiety or depression, and nearly 75% of those with facial burns suffered severe depressive symptoms.
Dog bites, defective products, and even surgical repairs for other injuries can cause similar harm. Whether caused by an unrestrained pet, defective machinery, or another careless act, these injuries can leave lasting physical and emotional scars.
Determining Compensation for Scarring and Disfigurement
The value of a scarring claim depends on how the injury has affected your body, appearance, and quality of life. Here’s what personal injury lawyers look at when valuing these claims:
| Factor | What’s Evaluated | How It Affects Compensation |
| Visibility | Where the scar is located and whether it can be covered by clothing | Obvious scars, especially on the face or hands, often result in larger settlements |
| Severity | Depth, size, and type of scar, including raised or hypertrophic scarring | More severe or permanent scars increase both medical and emotional damages |
| Pain and Function | Whether the scar causes stiffness, nerve pain, or limits movement | Functional loss or chronic discomfort can result in both economic and non-economic damages |
| Age and Gender | The victim’s age and how society perceives visible disfigurement | Younger victims and women may receive more due to the longer-term emotional and social impact |
| Occupation | How visible scarring affects work performance or customer interaction | Jobs that rely on appearance or public contact often justify higher compensation |
| Emotional Distress | Documented anxiety, depression, or reduced self-confidence | Proven psychological harm adds significant non-economic damages |
| Future Treatment | Expected surgeries, therapy, or ongoing medical care | Long-term or repeated procedures increase projected recovery costs |
These details show the true extent of your loss. When your legal team understands that full impact, they can build a stronger case and fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Insurance companies often downplay scars as merely cosmetic. However, scarring can impact your mobility, self-confidence, relationships, and overall quality of life. A skilled personal injury lawyer ensures that these impacts are taken seriously and valued accordingly.
Here’s how our law firm advocates for you:
- Prove the Full Extent of Harm: Our team partners with medical, mental health, and vocational professionals to show how your scars affect your mobility, self-esteem, and daily activities.
- Highlight Emotional Trauma: We carefully document anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other emotional challenges that many people with permanent scarring face.
- Calculate Long-Term Costs: Reconstructive surgeries, counseling, and rehabilitation can last years. We include every expense in your claim.
- Challenge Low Offers: Because insurers frequently undervalue pain, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses, we rely on evidence and expert insight to secure the compensation you’re entitled to.
In Florida, for most personal injury claims (such as car accidents, dog bites, or slip-and-falls), there is no statutory cap on non-economic damages, so your attorney can pursue full compensation for pain, emotional trauma, and disfigurement.
Florida law imposes damage caps only in specific cases, primarily medical malpractice claims under Florida Statute § 766.118, and even those caps have faced constitutional challenges.
Permanent Scarring? You Deserve Compensation
Permanent scarring alters your appearance, impacting your confidence, livelihood, and daily life. You shouldn’t have to face that alone or settle for an insurance offer that treats your pain as cosmetic.
At Aigen Injury Law, our team has recovered tens of millions for injury victims in South Florida. We know how to prove the full impact of your scarring, and we don’t back down from insurers who try to minimize your suffering.
Contact us for a free consultation, and we will evaluate your claim and discuss your options for compensation. We won’t settle for less than you deserve.