Permanent disfigurement refers to injuries that cause lasting changes to a person’s appearance. These injuries don’t heal over time and can affect a person’s confidence, everyday life, and how others see them. The law allows for damages beyond just medical bills and lost wages. Knowing what damages are available helps victims seek fair support through a Fresno personal injury case for all they’ve been through.
Types of Permanent Disfigurement in Personal Injury Cases
Permanent disfigurement can take many forms. It commonly includes the following:
- Physical Scars: Injuries from burns, deep cuts, or surgeries often leave noticeable scars that don’t fade over time. These marks can be constant reminders of the accident and affect a person’s confidence.
- Loss or Limited Use of Limbs: Some accidents cause amputations or damage that limits how well a person can use their arms, legs, or other parts of their body. Losing mobility or strength can change life in major ways.
- Facial Injuries: Damage to the face can be particularly hard to endure because it affects how a person looks and how others respond to them. Facial disfigurement often comes with significant emotional pain as well as physical harm.
- Loss of Senses: Injuries that cause blindness, deafness, or other sensory losses can be just as life-altering as physical scars. These changes impact communication, independence, and overall quality of life.
Recognizing the different types of permanent disfigurement helps victims understand the full impact of their injuries and the importance of working with a personal injury lawyer to get the compensation they deserve.
Damages Available for Permanent Disfigurement
When permanent disfigurement results from an accident, victims may be entitled to damages to help address their losses. This generally includes the following:
Economic Damages
These cover tangible financial costs. Medical expenses include surgeries, hospital stays, and any ongoing treatments needed to manage the injuries experienced in the accident. Lost wages are provided for the time you were unable to work due to your injuries, as well as any reduction in your future earning ability caused by the lasting effects. Future medical costs are also considered, covering possible corrective surgeries, therapy, or mental health care related to coping with the injury.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages reflect the personal toll of disfigurement. Pain and suffering accounts for the ongoing physical discomfort as well as the emotional weight of dealing with your changed appearance. Emotional distress covers feelings like anxiety, depression, or loneliness that may arise because of the injury. You may also be compensated for loss of enjoyment of life if the disfigurement keeps you from participating in activities you once loved. Additionally, loss of consortium recognizes the impact on close relationships, such as reduced companionship or intimacy with a spouse or family member.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the person responsible was particularly negligent or acted with harmful intent – for example, driving drunk or showing blatant disregard for safety – punitive damages may be awarded. You may award punitive damages only if [name of plaintiff] proves by clear and convincing evidence that [name of defendant] engaged in that conduct with malice, oppression, or fraud. These damages go beyond compensation and are awarded to punish the wrongdoer while discouraging similar behavior from others in the future. Understanding these potential damages can help victims and their families know what support they’re entitled to as they recover from the lasting effects of permanent disfigurement.