When a person is involved in a serious accident, they can suffer painful and debilitating injuries. Although these injuries may eventually heal, the victim may be left with disfiguring scars for the rest of their life. Under Virginia law, scarring and disfigurement injuries are recoverable in a personal injury lawsuit if the accident resulted from another party’s negligence. A Virginia Beach personal injury lawyer can help.
Scarring and Disfigurement Injuries
There are many different types of accidents that can lead to disfiguring injuries. A serious car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident can lead to significant injuries, including amputation of a limb or body parts being crushed or severed. Cuts to the face, arms, and hands are especially common in vehicle accidents. Scarring and disfigurement can also result from accidents involving fires, explosions, exposure to toxic chemicals, and electrical accidents.
Scars and disfigurement can have significant physical, emotional, and psychological impacts on individuals. Beyond the visible effects, they may also lead to long-term pain, discomfort, and reduced quality of life. Seeking compensation for these injuries is often a crucial aspect of recovering from an accident.
Pursuing Legal Action
To pursue compensation for scars or disfigurement, you’ll typically need to demonstrate the following:
- Liability – You must prove that someone else was at fault for the accident. This could be another driver, an employer, a property owner, or any other party whose actions or negligence contributed to the incident.
- Causation – You need to establish a direct link between the accident and your injuries. Medical records, expert testimony, and other evidence may be used to demonstrate that your scars or disfigurement resulted from the accident in question.
- Damages – You must quantify the damages you’ve suffered, including both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs, while non-economic damages encompass pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Compensation for scars or disfigurement typically falls under the category of non-economic damages. Courts consider various factors when determining the amount of compensation to award, including the severity and permanence of the injuries, the impact on the individual’s life, and the emotional distress caused by the disfigurement.
Working with a Personal Injury Lawyer
It’s essential to consult with a qualified personal injury attorney to understand your rights and options regarding compensation for scars or disfigurement. An experienced attorney can assess the circumstances of your case, determine liability, and help you pursue the maximum compensation available under the law.
Keep in mind that personal injury claims are subject to statutes of limitations. In Virginia, you only have two years from the date of the incident to initiate a claim. Once that window is closed, your opportunity for financial justice is too. This is why it is crucial to act promptly within the prescribed timeframe to preserve your right to compensation.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by another party, contact one of our Virginia Beach personal injury lawyers. The legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp is dedicated to helping injured clients obtain the compensation they deserve for their medical bills, lost income, and other losses their injuries have caused. Our legal team will work diligently to make sure you get the financial justice the law allows, like the $235,000 car accident insurance settlement we obtained for one client who suffered multiple injuries when another driver failed to yield the right of way.
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An experienced personal injury attorney with dual licensure in Virginia and North Carolina, Eric Washburn received a B.B.A. in Finance from James Madison University—initially worked in the information technology field before obtaining his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Once an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Danville, Va., Eric has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” Super Lawyer in Virginia since 2014.
