What Is Considered a Disfiguring Injury?
When you sustain a disfiguring injury after a vehicle collision or other accident, you are entitled to fair compensation for various economic and non-economic losses. For example, in addition to compensation for medical bills, you may be entitled to additional damages for the effects of living with any scarring or disfigurement you suffered as a result of the accident.
The Providence personal injury lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. have helped the wrongfully injured in Rhode Island for more than 45 years. We understand the hardships you may be facing after a disfiguring injury. If you were harmed because of someone else’s negligence, we want to hear your story.
Understanding the Different Types of Disfiguring Injuries
There are several different types of disfiguring injuries. These injuries can occur in all parts of the body, and they can range widely in terms of their overall effects. Disfiguring injuries can impact your confidence, your self-image, and your personal and professional relationships. Disfiguring injuries can include the following:
Facial Injuries
Injuries to the face will often result in permanent disfigurement. This includes eye, nose, and jaw injuries, as well as lacerations and burns in all facial areas. Many people who suffer disfiguring facial injuries struggle to cope with the psychological effects of having their appearance permanently altered. As a result, these injuries can entitle accident victims to significant financial compensation in many cases.
Amputations
Losing a limb in an accident is an extremely traumatic and life-altering event. Traumatic amputations are a form of disfigurement that can lead to substantial medical costs, loss of earnings, long-term pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses. Along with struggling to cope with the physical effects of losing a limb, accident victims can also struggle to cope with an amputation psychologically.
Injuries Requiring Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstructive surgery is often necessary for accident victims who suffer severe traumatic injuries. As its name suggests, reconstructive surgery focuses on repairing significant damage to the body caused by trauma. While some reconstructive surgery can improve an accident victim’s appearance or physical ability, many victims continue to live with lifelong scarring and disfigurement even after reconstructive surgery.
Musculoskeletal or Nerve Damage
Damage to the musculoskeletal system or nerves can also result in disfigurement. These injuries can permanently impact physical appearance as well as physical capabilities. Musculoskeletal and nerve injuries that result in paralysis or that confine accident victims to wheelchairs can be classified as disfiguring injuries as well.
Severe Bone Fractures
While doctors can successfully treat many types of bone fractures, in some cases, severe bone fractures can result in permanent disfigurement. This is true with open fractures (when a broken bone pierces the skin) as well as with closed fractures that involve complex internal damage. As with other types of disfiguring injuries, severe bone fractures will often result in permanent physical limitations. In many cases, fractures can cause damage to the surrounding soft tissue or nerves. This damage can complicate the treatment and recovery processes, increasing the risk of permanent limitations, disfigurement, or both.
Severe Burns
Severe burns commonly result in permanent disfigurement. Third and fourth-degree burns will almost always result in disfigurement, but even less-severe burns can cause disfigurement in some cases. Skin grafts and reconstructive surgery procedures can cause permanent disfigurement for burn patients as well.
Similar to the other types of disfiguring injuries discussed above, severe burns can result from car accidents, construction accidents, product failures, and a wide range of other accidents. If you were hurt because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, scarring and disfigurement, and more. To protect your legal rights, you should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Speak with a Providence Personal Injury Lawyer Today for FREE
If you or a family member has suffered a disfiguring injury in an accident, we encourage you to contact our office to speak with a Providence personal injury lawyer for FREE. Over the course of more than four decades, Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. has built a reputation for excellence in a range of personal injury matters. We have the knowledge, skill, and resources you can trust to achieve a favorable outcome in your case.
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When facing the hardships of a serious injury, it’s important to act promptly. Call Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd. today at (401) 273-8330 or contact us online for a FREE case review. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we recover money for you.
