A facial injury can have severe, long-lasting consequences. Besides the imminent danger to your health, you might be left with permanent scars or disfigurement. This…
Facial scarring compensation claims
If you have sustained facial scarring in an accident that wasn’t your fault, contact us to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to claim.
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How much compensation can I claim for facial scarring?
Facial scarring can have a significant physical, emotional and financial impact on your life. Depending on its severity, a facial scar may cause pain, disfigurement, loss of confidence and psychological harm. If someone else’s negligence caused the scarring, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
This guide explains when you may be eligible to make a facial scarring claim, how much compensation you could receive, how your claim will be valued and what evidence can help maximise your award.
To start your claim today, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back for a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will explain your legal rights, assess whether you have a valid claim and estimate how much compensation you can claim for facial scarring, with no obligation to proceed.
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Table of Contents
What is facial scarring compensation?
Facial scarring compensation is a financial payment awarded to someone who has suffered a scar, visible marks or permanent disfigurement due to facial injuries caused by another party’s negligence.
Compensation aims to recognise the pain and suffering caused by the injury. It can also cover any financial losses incurred as a result, such as cosmetic surgery costs and lost earnings.
The goal is to place you, as far as reasonably practicable, back in the position you would have been in had you not suffered the permanent scarring.
Can I claim compensation for facial scarring?
Before calculating how much compensation you can claim for facial scarring, your personal injury solicitor will first assess whether you have a valid claim to begin with.
Usually, you can claim compensation if the following can be proven:
- Another party owed you a legal duty of care.
- This duty was breached through negligence.
- That breach caused your facial injury and scarring.
- You are within the legal time limit for starting a claim.
How much compensation can I claim for a facial scar?
The amount of compensation you can claim for facial scarring depends on the severity of the scar, related financial losses and how much it affects your daily life.
Compensation can range from a few thousand pounds for minor scarring to significantly larger amounts where scarring is severe, permanent and accompanied by psychological harm.
The level of compensation will depend on factors such as:
- The size, colour and texture of the scar
- Whether the scar is prominent and the distance it is visible from
- Whether it is likely to remain permanent or fade over time
- The age of the injured person
- The impact on confidence, work and relationships
- Whether you need surgery or cosmetic treatment
Examples of facial scarring compensation amounts
Each claim is different. Your solicitor will assess how much compensation for a facial scar you could receive based on your own personal circumstances.
The Judicial College offers guidelines and compensation brackets for different types of facial scarring:
- £2,080 to £4,310 for trivial scarring that is faint or barely noticeable
- £4,820 to £16,770 for less significant facial scarring that is visible from a short distance
- £11,120 to £36,720 for significant scarring that could possibly be reduced by surgery
- £21,920 to £59,090 for substantial disfigurement and significant psychological harm
- £36,340 to £118,790 for very severe facial scarring and psychological injury
What does facial scarring compensation cover?
The compensation payouts for facial scarring are calculated based on two types of damages:
General damages compensate you for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injury itself. In other words, this part of the compensation covers the subjective impact on your life, including:
- Physical pain and discomfort
- Emotional distress and psychological harm
- Impact on social life and relationships
- Loss of career opportunities
- Loss of confidence and enjoyment of life
Special damages cover the financial impact of the injury. This refers to all the losses and expenses incurred in the past and losses that are reasonably expected in the future related to the injury, such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of or reduced earning capacity
- Medical treatment and cosmetic procedures
- Prescription costs
- Cost of care needs and counselling
- Travel expenses to medical appointments
Your solicitor will carefully consider all your losses to calculate a fair compensation figure.
Can I claim compensation for psychological harm caused by facial scarring?
Yes. Facial scarring can cause more than a physical injury. When scarring is significant or permanent, many people also experience psychological harm, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, embarrassment, loss of confidence and social withdrawal.
To support a claim for psychological injuries, you need medical evidence from a psychologist, psychiatrist or another specialist.
How much compensation can I claim for facial scarring caused by a criminal assault?
If a physical assault caused your facial scarring, you may be able to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). A criminal injury claim is possible even if the offender is not identified, arrested or convicted.
The CICA uses a fixed tariff scheme to award compensation for facial scarring. The payment depends on the severity of disfigurement and could be:
- £2,400 for significant facial disfigurement
- £11,000 for serious facial disfigurement
Before making a criminal injury claim, you should report the assault to the police as soon as possible and obtain a crime reference number.
How much compensation can I claim for facial scarring if I was partly at fault?
If you were partially at fault for your facial scarring, you can still make a claim, but your compensation will likely be reduced to reflect your contributory negligence.
Examples include failing to follow safety instructions or wear your PPE at work, not wearing your seatbelt during a car accident or ignoring a wet floor sign.
In such cases, your solicitor will calculate the total value of your claim without considering your fault. Then, the total amount will be reduced by the amount for which you are found responsible.
For example, if your facial scarring claim is valued at £20,000 and you are found 25% responsible, your compensation will be reduced by £5,000, meaning you would only receive £15,000.
What types of accidents can cause facial scarring?
Facial scarring can arise from many different types of accidents and incidents caused by another party’s negligence or wrongdoing.
For example, facial scars may occur after cuts from broken glass, burns from flames or hot drinks, chemical exposure, surgical errors, impact injuries or poor treatment of dermatological conditions.
The most common causes include:
- Road traffic accidents
- Accidents at work
- Criminal assaults
- Dog bites and other animal attacks
- Being hit by falling objects
- Slips, trips and falls
- Sports accidents
- Medical negligence
As long as the accident was at least partially caused by someone else’s negligence, you could make a claim for compensation.
What should I do after suffering facial scarring?
After suffering facial scarring that wasn’t your fault, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. If you are entitled to make an injury compensation claim, your solicitor will:
- Help you gather supporting evidence to build a strong claim.
- Arrange a free medical assessment with a specialist to confirm the severity of the scar and your future care needs.
- Calculate the compensation amount you may be entitled to.
- Send a letter of claim to the defendant to inform them of the compensation you seek.
- Initiate negotiations on your behalf or issue court proceedings if liability is denied.
Most claims are settled out of court because it is usually faster, less expensive, and less stressful for both parties.
What evidence do I need to support a facial scarring compensation claim?
Strong evidence is essential to support a facial injury claim and help secure the scar compensation amount owed to you.
Useful evidence may include:
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene showing how your injury occurred.
- Photos showing the injuries at different stages during recovery.
- CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident, if available.
- Copies of accident or police reports with the date, time and location of your accident.
- Specialist medical reports confirming the injury, treatment and long-term prognosis.
- Statements from witnesses who saw the cause of your scarring first-hand.
- Documents such as receipts, invoices and payslips as proof of financial losses.
Rest assured that your solicitor will review all the evidence you have and help you gather any further proof you may need to support your claim.
What is the time limit for making a facial scarring injury claim?
The time limit for personal injury claims is usually 3 years from the date of the accident. For scarring, this time limit might begin on the date you knew or should have reasonably known that someone else’s negligence resulted in your facial scar.
There are a few exceptions:
- Children – the 3-year time limit only begins on the child’s 18th birthday
- Mental capacity – there is no limitation period while the injured party lacks capacity
- CICA claims – there is a 2-year limitation period from the incident date
While you are allowed a long period to start your claim, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible. This will help your solicitor gather evidence to build a strong case.
Can I make a no win no fee facial scarring claim?
If you can claim compensation for a facial scar, your solicitor will provide a no win no fee service. This means there are no upfront legal costs, and you only pay your solicitor a success fee if your claim is successful. If you lose, you won’t pay your solicitor for their work.
If you suffered facial scarring without being at fault, call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back to find out how much compensation you may be entitled to for your pain and suffering.
