Scarring Claims

Many types of injuries can lead to scarring on various body parts. This can be temporary or permanent and can significantly impact a person’s life. Examples include cosmetic concerns, loss of self-esteem, pain, physical discomfort, and loss of function of the affected body part.

If you or a loved one suffered a scarring injury due to another party’s negligence, you could be eligible to claim compensation. Common accidents that lead to scarring claims include road traffic collisions, accidents at work, criminal assaults, sporting injuries and medical negligence.

To find out if you have a valid personal injury claim for scarring, call 0800 470 0474 or use our online claim form to request a call back.

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Table of Contents

• What injuries could lead to scarring?
• How are scars assessed and treated?
• How can a scar impact your life?
• Am I eligible to make a personal injury claim for scarring?
• What accidents can lead to a scar injury claim?
• What evidence will I need to support a scarring claim?
• Can I claim compensation for a scar injury at work?
• Can I claim compensation for scarring on behalf of my child?
• What is the time limit to start a scar compensation claim?
• How much compensation could I receive for scarring?
• How much will it cost to make a scar injury compensation claim?
• How long will a permanent scar compensation claim take?

What injuries could lead to scarring?

Scarring is a natural part of the healing process when the skin or other tissues are damaged. The scar tissue is primarily made of collagen and is often thicker and more rigid than the surrounding area.

Scars can appear as a raised, flat or discoloured area on the skin, depending on the depth of the wound and the affected body part. While minor scars typically fade over time, more severe scarring could be permanent.

Some of the most common injuries that lead to a claim for permanent scar compensation include:

• Cuts and lacerations caused by sharp objects, broken glass or blunt trauma;
• Burns that damage multiple layers of skin;
• Surgical incisions, if they are extensive and proper technique is not used;
• Severe acne, as the skin tissue is damaged from the inside by infection and inflammation;
• Animal bites, kicks and scratches;
• Industrial diseases, such as occupational dermatitis, due to prolonged exposure to dangerous substances at work;
• Severe road rash and abrasions which scrape off deep layers of skin;
• Skin infections and abscesses.

How are scars assessed and treated?

Scars are assessed and treated based on factors such as their size, type, location, and impact on functionality or appearance. Based on their kind, scars are classified into several main categories:

• Fine-line scars. These are the most common type of scar and appear as thin, straight and flat, with a smooth texture;
• Hypertrophic scars. Raised and red scars that remain within the original wound boundary;
• Atrophic scars. Pitted scars that are often seen with acne or chickenpox;
• Keloid scars. Raised scars that extend beyond the original wound boundary and can be itchy or painful;
• Contracture scars. Typically caused by burns, these scars cause skin tightening, which can limit movement;
• Surgical scars. They result from incisions made during surgery and are often linear, flat or slightly raised.

Scar treatment aims to improve their appearance, texture and function and may include:

• Silicone gels or dressings
• Steroid creams or injections
• Dermal fillers
• Cryotherapy, which freezes the top skin layers
• Chemical peels
• Dermabrasion
• Laser therapy
• Surgical scar revision

Combining two or more treatments is often effective, particularly for severe scarring.

How can a scar impact your life?

Scars can have a significant impact on various aspects of your life, including:

• A physical effect leading to pain, sensitivity, tightness, limited mobility, loss of sensation and functional impairment;
• An emotional and psychological impact, leading to cosmetic concerns, loss of confidence, low self-esteem, anxiety, frustration and depression;
• An impact on social life and relationships, causing you to withdraw from social activities and hobbies you used to enjoy or to avid intimacy;
• Significant scars can also affect your ability to work if they cause reduced mobility, chronic pain, loss of function or impaired dexterity.

If you are entitled to make a permanent scar compensation claim, your solicitor will ensure you are compensated for all the ways in which the injury has affected you.

Am I eligible to make a personal injury claim for scarring?

The simplest way to find out if you can claim permanent scar compensation is through a free consultation with a personal injury solicitor. They will ask you a few questions to assess whether:

• Another party, such as your employer or a business owner, owed you a duty of care;
• They breached this duty through negligence or wrongdoing and caused an accident;
• You suffered a scarring injury as a result of the accident.

If your case has merit, your solicitor will have the necessary experience to prove a duty of care and liability based on UK legislation. Once this is established, they will send a letter of claim to the defendant to inform them of your intentions to pursue a compensation claim. Your injury lawyer will handle all communication and negotiations with them on your behalf so that you can focus on your recovery and well-being.

What accidents can lead to a scar injury claim?

Many different accidents can result in a scarring injury for which you could be entitled to claim compensation, including:

• Road traffic accidents. Road collisions often result in cuts, burns, or lacerations from glass, metal, and the road surface, which can cause lasting scars.
• Medical negligence. Surgical errors or improper wound care can cause infections or poor healing, resulting in excessive or unusual scarring.
• Accidents at work. Injuries from machinery, tools, chemicals, or falls can result in deep cuts, burns, or fractures that may leave permanent scars.
• Accidents in public. Slips, trips, and falls or being hit by an object can lead to cuts and lacerations, resulting in visible scars.
• Criminal assaults. Attacks that involve sharp objects or blunt force trauma can cause long-lasting injuries and scarring.
• Botched cosmetic surgery. Surgical mistakes or poor post-surgical care in cosmetic procedures can result in unwanted scarring.
• Dog attacks. Bites from a dog attack can leave deep wounds, particularly on the face, arms, and legs, resulting in visible scars.
• Military accidents. Combat-related injuries or training accidents, like gunshot wounds, burns, or explosions, can lead to severe scarring.
• Sports accidents. High-impact sports or activities can lead to fractures and lacerations that may result in lasting scars.

If your accident was due to someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to claim compensation for your pain, suffering and financial losses.

What evidence will I need to support a scarring claim?

If you want to seek compensation for a scar, you need relevant proof to show how your injury occurred, who was at fault and how it has affected your life. The evidence you could use to support a body or facial scar compensation claim includes:

• Medical records from your GP, the A&E or a minor injuries unit will prove the extent of the damage you suffered and the treatments you received;
• Photographs of the accident scene, showing any hazards that contributed to your injury;
• Pictures of your initial wound, your recovery process, and how the scar formed;
• A copy of an accident report filed with the liable party, if you have one;
• If available, CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident;
• A police report and crime reference number if you were the victim of a criminal assault;
• Statements from witnesses who saw how your accident occurred or how it has affected you;
• Your testimony about the accident and the impact of the scarring on your life;
• You also need records of any expenditures and financial losses related to the injury, such as receipts, bank statements and payslips.

Can I claim compensation for a scar injury at work?

While at work, your employer must take all reasonable measures to keep you safe from accidents and injuries. They must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, according to which their responsibilities include:

• Carry out regular risk assessments to identify hazards that could cause you to sustain an injury and eliminate or mitigate them;
• Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, face shields and protective clothing;
• Enforce clear safety protocols and guidelines for operating heavy machinery, tools and dangerous substances;
• Train employees on the safe use of equipment, machinery and PPE;
• Promptly address workplace hazards such as sharp objects, unguarded machinery or uneven floors to minimise the risk of injuries.

If your employer has failed in their legal duties and you suffered an injury and scarring as a result of their negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. They must hold Employer’s Liability (EL) insurance, so they will not be left out of pocket if you win a scar settlement.

Can I claim compensation for scarring on behalf of my child?

If your child suffered scarring due to someone else’s fault, a personal injury lawyer could help you make a claim on their behalf. You must first apply to the court to be named as their litigation friend, and once approved, you can start the claims process.

As a litigation friend, you will have several responsibilities, which include:

• Help your solicitor gather supporting evidence.
• Sign legal documents.
• Attend court hearings.
• Make decisions about the claim and any settlement offers that are in your child’s best interests.
• Liaise with solicitors.

A judge must approve the awarded payment during a court hearing if you make a successful compensation claim for your child. The money will then be kept in a court bank account or a personal injury trust and released to the child on their 18th birthday.

What is the time limit to start a scar compensation claim?

According to the Limitation Act 1980, if you suffered an injury that left a scar, you could claim compensation within three years, starting from either:

• The date you were injured.
• The date your scar or scars became apparent (the date of knowledge).

After three years, your case will be time-barred, and you will lose your compensation claim. In any case, you should start your claim as soon as possible, as this will help your solicitor gather evidence and secure compensation.

There are a few exceptions to the three-year time limit:

• Child injury claims can be made by a competent adult at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
• There is no time limit to start a claim if the injured party lacks their mental capacity (for example, they suffer from a brain injury or an intellectual disability like Down syndrome).
• You have two years to seek compensation through the CICA (the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) if your scar is the result of a criminal assault.
• You have seven years to claim compensation for scarring through the AFCS if you were injured during military service.

How much compensation could I receive for scarring?

The amount of compensation you could receive for a scar will largely depend on its severity, whether it is permanent, and the affected body part. There are also other factors to consider, which will be grouped into two types of damages:

• General damages are based on the physical and psychological impact of the injury. These may include pain, suffering, emotional distress, impact on self-esteem, loss of companionship and loss of a unique career.
• Special damages are based on the financial impact that the injury and scarring have had on your life. These could include medical costs, travel expenses to medical appointments or loss of earnings during recovery.

According to our scar compensation calculator and the Judicial College guidelines, you could receive the following compensation awards:

• £2,890 to £9,560 for a single clear scar or several superficial scars on the body.
• £9,560 to £27,740 for a single disfiguring scar or more noticeable scars on the body.
• Up to £127,930 for severe, permanent scarring caused by burns that cover more than 40% of the body.
• £2,080 to £16,770 for noticeable facial scarring.
• £16,770 to £59,090 for more severe, permanent facial scarring.
• Up to £118,790 for very severe scarring to the face.

How much will it cost to make a scar injury compensation claim?

If you are eligible to make a scar compensation claim, it will not cost you a single penny to get legal representation. The solicitors we work with will offer you a no win no fee agreement, which means you do not have to pay them anything upfront or if your claim is unsuccessful.

You only pay your solicitor a percentage of your compensation if your claim is successful, which is agreed upon from the beginning and cannot exceed 25% of your settlement.

If you make a no win no fee compensation claim, you can also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance, which provides further protection against litigation costs. If you lose, the ATE will cover all the expenses incurred, such as court fees, medical and police reports, and the defendant’s legal costs, ensuring you will not be left out of pocket.

How long will a permanent scar compensation claim take?

It is difficult to say how long it may take to receive your personal injury compensation without knowing all the details of your case. The duration of the claim will depend on several factors, such as:

• The type of accident you suffered.
• Whether you are aware of the defendant’s identity.
• The severity of your scarring and whether it is permanent.
• Whether you suffered one or more scars.
• The time it takes to gather evidence.
• Whether the other party admits liability.

As a general rule, claims for straightforward work or road accidents can settle in under six months, while more complex claims for medical negligence can take several years to conclude. Your solicitor will work hard to get your compensation as soon as possible and will also get you an interim payment if you qualify for it.

To find out if you can start a no win no fee claim for scars and any other injuries, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details here to request a call back.