Severe injuries can cause lasting reminders of the trauma, even after healing, in the form of scars and disfigurement. For example, a person with extensive scars might have to endure stares from strangers and body image issues for the rest of their life. In these situations, an Alexandria scarring & disfigurement lawyer could pursue compensation from the at-fault party whose negligence harmed you.
Causes of Scarring and Disfigurement
When a person loses a body part, whether a finger, foot, arm, or leg, others will view them as disfigured. In addition to experiencing the functional loss of that body part, highly visible or extensive scars can develop from wounds a person suffers from an accident at work, on the road, or an attack by an animal like a dog.
Some scars are the result of physical violence, like assault. Burns to the skin, whether from fire, explosions, or chemicals, can change the appearance of the affected area of the body forever. Some medical procedures, like surgery, can leave incision scars that are disfiguring. A disfigurement attorney in Alexandria, LA, can talk to you about holding the party accountable for your injury and loss.
For a free legal consultation with a scarring & disfigurement lawyer serving Alexandria, call (318) 777-7777
Steps to Take After an Accident Involving Disfiguring Injuries
The first steps you should take will depend on the situation that caused your injuries, but some general concepts are similar in most cases.
- You should call law enforcement to come to the scene and write a police report if you got injured in a motor vehicle accident. If your injuries resulted from criminal activity by another person or an animal attack, you should also call the police to take action against the person or animal and control the situation.
- Prompt medical care is vital in any accident that creates wounds. Your medical records will link your injuries to the incident that caused them. Also, scars and disfigurement can sometimes get minimized with quick medical treatment to avoid infection and other complications.
- You will be grateful later if you do your best to document what happened as soon as possible. Taking photos of the scene, your injuries, and any other relevant items will go a long way toward building your compensation case. In addition, writing down the names and contact information of witnesses can help your lawyer investigate the situation.
- Talk to a lawyer right away. Evidence is best collected when fresh. There are short filing deadlines in our state. You do not want to lose the right to monetary damages or get less compensation than you otherwise might have because of the passage of time.
We can provide additional guidance customized to your case if you become a client.
Alexandria Scarring & Disfigurement Lawyer Near Me (318) 777-7777
The Average Settlement for Disfiguring Scars in Alexandria, Louisiana
There is no such thing as an average settlement for disfiguring scars because most settlements are not reported to the public. Therefore, you cannot calculate an average if you do not have the data.
Every personal injury case that involves scars or disfigurement is different and can settle for a different amount. The amount you could recover for your disfigurement case will depend on the unique facts of your situation.
Here are some of the common categories of monetary damages that people pursue for wounds that cause scars or disfigurement in Alexandria, Louisiana:
- Lost income. You might be unable to work while recuperating from your injuries and medical treatments. If you did not get paid the total amount of your wages or salary, you have a financial loss that can get added to your injury claim.
- Decreased future income. Severe wounds that cause disfigurement can lead to a loss of function, chronic pain, and other impairments that can reduce the amount of money you could earn in the future.
- Medical expenses for treatment of the initial injury. Typically, one can recover the reasonable cost of the healthcare services needed to treat the wound.
- Medical costs to treat the disfigurement or scars. People often need medical intervention like plastic surgery, scar revision surgery, treatment of contractures, physical therapy, or prosthetic devices for these severe injuries.
- Disfigurement or scarring. Developing extensive scars or getting disfigured can damage a person’s body image. In this situation, it is not uncommon for the injured person to develop depression, suicidal ideation, and other psychological and emotional conditions.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Getting injured in a horrific crash that caused disfigurement or large scars can cause a person to develop PTSD that can last for years or a lifetime.
- Pain and suffering. This category is in addition to getting one’s medical bills paid. These monetary damages focus on the physical discomfort, inconvenience, and emotional distress of getting injured.
You are likely looking for a law firm that can go after and win significant settlements and verdicts. Here are a few examples of results we have won for our clients:
- $7,000,000.00 – Judgment for an injured 18-wheeler driver
- $2,000,000.00 – Auto accident resulting in spinal cord injuries
- $1,750,000.00 – Passenger injured at a defective railroad crossing
- $1,611,000.00 – Trial verdict for a collision resulting in spinal injuries
Results will vary from case to case, depending on the specific circumstances.
Click to contact our Alexandria Catastrophic Injury Lawyers today
The Statute of Limitations in Scarring and Disfigurement Claims in Louisiana
Please do not wait too long to discuss your disfigurement and scarring case. In these cases, Louisiana has a short statute of limitations, also called a filing deadline. For example, you only have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to CC Art. 3492. If your loved one did not survive their injuries, CC Art. 2315.2 limits you to one year to file the wrongful death lawsuit.
Your case could still settle after the lawsuit gets filed. Most of these cases settle out of court without going to trial. Filing the lawsuit protects your right to pursue compensation and not get defeated by the statute of limitations.
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Get Help from an Alexandria Scarring and Disfigurement Attorney Today
You can get help on your claim from a disfigurement lawyer in Alexandria, LA. Simply reach out to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today for a free initial consultation. There is no obligation.
Call or text (318) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
