Chicago Scarring and Disfigurement Lawyer
Traumatic injuries can often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, which can drastically affect your daily functioning and ability to enjoy life. Scarring and disfigurement can devastate your self-confidence. The pain and discomfort also make it challenging to engage in routine tasks. Scarring injuries are often most noticeable on the face and neck, but any kind of scarring or disfigurement injuries are a serious matter, no matter their location on the body.
If you have suffered significant scarring or disfigurement from an injury, reach out to Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today. We understand the difficulties that a debilitating injury can cause and will relentlessly help you fight to recover compensation for your hardship. Contact us today to speak to a scarring and disfigurement lawyer in Chicago during a free consultation.
How Our Scarring and Disfigurement Lawyers Can Help with a Personal Injury Claim
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has over 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases for the people of Chicago. We have collectively recovered over $2.5 billion for our clients and have overseen many multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for serious and permanent disfigurement, including record-breaking medical malpractice and birth injury cases.
Our staff comprises over 20 highly experienced attorneys with the skills, resources, and knowledge to fight for your rights and interests. Our award-winning personal injury law firm has received recognition from several professional organizations for our legal services, and we have cultivated a reputation as fierce advocates for the injured. We are more than just a law firm – we are a reliable partner you can count on for effective and compassionate legal representation.
Common Types of Scars and Disfiguring Injuries
Scars form when the skin produces collagen to close wounds and repair damaged areas. Scarring is a natural process, but the appearance and character of scar tissue depend on numerous factors, including injury severity, skin texture, wound care, and the location of the injured body part.
Doctors recognize several types of scarring injuries grievous wounds can cause:
- Hypertrophic scars are thick, swollen scars that sit slightly raised above the skin. They form when the body produces too much collagen after an injury.
- Keloid scars are similar to hypertrophic scars, but the raised tissue extends beyond the boundaries of the original injury. They often have a blotchy appearance. Keloid scarring around the joints can impair movement.
- Contracture scars often form after burns or gouge injuries. Contracture scars pull on the surrounding tissue, giving it a tight appearance, which can decrease mobility and cause discomfort.
- Pitted scars have a sunken appearance and form when the body cannot produce enough collagen to fill the wound. They are common outcomes of severe acne or botched facial procedures.
- Adhesion scars form when scar tissue connects internal bodily structures that normally do not connect. Adhesion scars are common in the abdomen and may form after a traumatic injury or surgery.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we represent clients who have suffered various types of scars and disfiguring injuries. If your injury resulted from a car accident, workplace accident, or other incident caused by the negligence of others, we can fight for the accountability you deserve while you focus on healing.
Common Causes of Scarring and Disfiguring Injuries
Scarring and disfigurement can occur due to laceration injuries, crushing injuries, burns, and more. Virtually any serious injury has the potential to cause scars and disfigurement that impact your ability to have a normal life. Common causes of scarring and disfigurement injuries include:
- Birthing injuries
- Car, truck, or motorcycle collisions
- Medical malpractice
- Burn injuries
- Construction incidents
- Premises liability injuries (e.g., slip and fall incidents)
- Defective product injuries
- Nursing home abuse
- Workplace accidents
Potential Complications of Scarring or Disfigurement
Scarring and disfigurement have many detrimental physical and mental effects. From a physical standpoint, scars can restrict mobility and cause discomfort, while disfiguring injuries, such as an amputation, affect your ability to function. Those with severe injuries may be unable to partake in recreational activities they enjoy. These serious injuries can permanently affect a person’s life.
Moreover, scars and disfiguring injuries can affect one’s mental and social life. Changes to a person’s appearance due to scars can lower self-confidence. Some accident victims isolate themselves from social situations due to feelings of low self-worth based on the resulting scars or permanent changes in their physical appearance. Victims may also face anxiety or post-traumatic stress from their scars, which remind them of their painful and traumatic experience.
Compensation You Could Recover for Personal Injury Claims Based on Scarring and Disfigurement
A settlement for scarring and disfigurement damages can include money for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- The costs of corrective or reconstructive surgeries
- Lost income from inability to work
- Reduced future earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of life enjoyment or convenience
Scarring and disfigurement claims are sometimes difficult to prove, so insurance companies and courts use several factors to determine compensation amounts, including the following:
- Disfigurement Severity – A disfigurement injury like a missing limb typically has a more pronounced effect on the victim’s quality of life than a relatively minor burn.
- Scarring Location – Facial or neck scarring often causes more distress than other scars as they are highly visible and difficult to conceal.
- Victim’s Age – Compensation can reflect that the younger an individual is, the longer they will live with the lasting effects of their permanent injuries.
- Victim’s Occupation – Disfigurement may require someone to switch to a different job with a lower earning potential or impair their ability to earn a living.
- Emotional Distress – Insurance companies and courts also consider the injured individual’s subjective mental and emotional distress when assessing compensation.
A disfigurement lawyer can calculate your total losses to determine an appropriate figure for compensation and argue that the extent of your psychological suffering deserves recompense. We have an established track record of successful settlements and verdicts, including the largest verdict ever awarded to an individual in the state of Illinois and verdicts of $363 million, $148 million, and $80 million. We are unafraid to aggressively pursue those responsible for your scarring injuries and decreased quality of life.
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