Seeking Compensation for Permanent Scars and Disfigurement in Georgia

Why These Injuries Deserve Serious Legal Action After a Crash

When someone survives a serious car accident, the physical trauma doesn’t always end when the wounds heal. Scars, burns, and disfigurement can be a lifelong reminder of a traumatic event — and they can carry lasting emotional and financial consequences.

At the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates, we’ve represented many clients across Georgia who suffered permanent disfigurement in a crash caused by someone else. These injuries may not be life-threatening, but they are life-altering. And under Georgia law, you may be entitled to compensation for the pain, the stigma, and the long-term costs of living with a visible injury.

Types of Disfiguring Injuries in Georgia Car Accidents

Not all injuries are visible, but for those who suffer disfigurement in a crash, the damage is both physical and emotional. Common causes of disfigurement in car accidents include:

• Severe lacerations requiring stitches or surgical repair
• Facial injuries from shattered glass or steering wheel impact
• Burns from engine fires, airbag chemicals, or hot fluids
• Crush injuries requiring amputation or reconstructive surgery
• Road rash and skin abrasions in high-speed or ejection crashes

These injuries can leave permanent scars, especially on the face, arms, legs, or other exposed areas. Even with plastic surgery or skin grafts, the appearance may never fully return to normal.

The Emotional and Psychological Toll of Disfigurement

Visible scarring or disfigurement can affect every part of a person’s life — from how they see themselves in the mirror to how they’re treated in public. This is especially true when the injured person is a child, teenager, or someone in a public-facing career.

Crash victims often experience:

• Loss of self-confidence or self-worth
• Depression or anxiety
• Social isolation or withdrawal
• Difficulty returning to work or public settings
• Post-traumatic stress related to the injury

Georgia law allows injury victims to seek damages not just for physical harm, but also for the mental and emotional suffering caused by that harm. And when permanent disfigurement is involved, those damages can be substantial.

Scarring and Disfigurement Can Affect Your Career and Earning Capacity

For many crash victims, visible scarring or disfigurement doesn’t just impact personal confidence — it can limit future job opportunities. This is especially true in careers where appearance plays a role, such as customer service, healthcare, sales, or public-facing roles in the media or hospitality industries.

Some victims are unable to return to their previous line of work, while others may face bias during job interviews or lose advancement opportunities due to assumptions about their capabilities or public image. Even in industries where appearance shouldn't matter, studies show that disfigurement can negatively impact hiring decisions and professional evaluations.

A personal injury claim can account for these career setbacks. We work with vocational experts and economic analysts to project lost income over time and include that in the damages sought. Whether your earning capacity has been temporarily interrupted or permanently diminished, we fight for compensation that reflects the full financial impact.

Proving Disfigurement in a Georgia Car Accident Case

Insurance companies often try to minimize the impact of scarring and disfigurement. They may argue it’s cosmetic or unrelated to the crash. That’s why documentation is key. Our legal team works with medical experts, surgeons, and mental health professionals to establish the full impact of the injury.

We help clients gather:

• Medical records and surgical reports
• Photographic evidence before and after the crash
• Testimony from treating doctors and counselors
• Expert evaluations about future treatment or revision surgeries

We also calculate the long-term costs, including any ongoing care, psychological therapy, and the effect on career or lifestyle.

Plastic Surgery and Long-Term Medical Costs After a Disfiguring Injury

Some crash victims require extensive medical care well beyond the initial emergency treatment. Disfigurement may call for multiple reconstructive surgeries, skin grafts, or specialized treatments like laser therapy to reduce scarring. These procedures are often classified as “cosmetic” by insurance companies — even when they’re medically necessary for physical and psychological recovery.

Georgia accident victims shouldn’t be stuck footing the bill for surgery they need because of someone else’s negligence. At Gary Martin Hays & Associates, we work with surgeons and care coordinators to document the cost and necessity of each stage of treatment, including:

• Plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Scar revision procedures
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Psychiatric counseling or therapy
• Prosthetics or assistive devices

Even if you’re not sure whether surgery is right for you, your settlement should reflect the option. You deserve access to care, not just compensation for what’s already happened.

What Factors Affect a Disfigurement Settlement in Georgia?

No two cases are the same, but several key factors may influence how much compensation a disfigurement claim is worth:

• Location of the scarring (face vs. less visible areas)
• Severity and size of the scar or injury
• Age and gender of the injured person
• Impact on career or daily life
• Need for future surgery or treatment
• Emotional and psychological effects
• Clear evidence of liability for the crash

While some disfigurement cases result in six- or seven-figure settlements, others may settle for less if the injury is small, well-healed, or not visible in daily life. A skilled attorney can help present the strongest case possible and fight for a settlement that reflects the full scope of your losses.

Disfigurement Settlements Are About More Than Medical Bills

Some people hesitate to file a claim for scarring or disfigurement because they don’t want to seem vain — but that mindset plays right into the insurance company’s hands.

In reality, a disfigurement claim is about holding negligent drivers accountable for the full damage they caused, including the long-term personal, social, and professional impact. These injuries can influence how others treat you, how you move through the world, and how you feel about yourself for the rest of your life.

When we handle cases involving permanent scars or altered appearance, we don’t just look at the immediate medical bills. We tell the full story:

• How the injury changed your day-to-day life
• What you went through during recovery
• The way you’ve been treated differently by strangers or even family
• How your plans or goals have changed

Let Georgia’s Power Law Firm Fight for You

If you or a loved one is living with permanent scarring or disfigurement after a Georgia car accident, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates has recovered over $1 billion for Georgia families — and we know how to handle serious, life-changing injury cases.

We’ll listen to your story, document your injury, and aggressively pursue every dollar you deserve for the physical and emotional toll this has taken. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Let us help you take the next step forward.

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