Scarring Injuries in Massachusetts

Scar injuries can have lasting consequences both physically and emotionally. Once the initial pain that caused the scar has gone away, the victim is left with a daily reminder of the accident or trauma every time they look into a mirror or are asked about it by another person. With children in particular, scarring inquires can be especially painful as the child continues to develop both physically and emotionally. When dealing with a scar injury, you need a strong advocate who can help you recover the compensation you deserve. The Weymouth personal injury attorneys at Curran & Desharains, P.C. have successfully resolved numerous scarring injury cases all over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and are ready to fight on your behalf to recover the compensation that you deserve.

While there can be many causes of scarring, a large number of scarring injuries are attributed to events such as dog bites, burns, car accidents, bicycle accidents, or work-related accidents.

Recovering Compensation for a Scar Injury

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury involving scarring or disfigurement, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries including:

• Compensation for any past and future medical expenses
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Compensation for any loss of earning capacity or loss of future earnings
• Compensation for emotional distress
• Compensation for future medical care or cosmetic surgery

Sample Scar Case Verdicts and Settlements

Although every case is different and must be evaluated based on its own unique set of facts and circumstances, the list below is meant to give a general sense of how other cases involving scarring injuries have resolved. These cases are specific to Massachusetts as it provides the most relevant data to assist in valuing a case.

2012: $150,000 settlement. A young girl was unexpectedly bit on the face by a friend’s dog causing an approximately 1” laceration on her upper lip. The laceration was treated with topical ointment over the course of several weeks but there remained a visible scar on the girl’s upper lip. A plastic surgeon determined that the scar was permanent and that a revision of the scar (plastic surgery) would not result in a significant enough improvement to justify the procedure. Attorney Joseph Curran at Curran Law Group, P.C. was able to secure a settlement for the maximum amount of available insurance coverage of $150,000.00. Because of the relationship of the parties, the victim decided to accept the full amount of the insurance policy and not pursue further action against the dog’s owners.

2011: $225,000 settlement. A young man was a patron in a local bar when he was unexpectedly struck in the face with a glass by an intoxicated patron causing severe lacerations around the eye area. Although the bar’s insurance carrier initially attempted to deny liability by arguing that the event was not foreseeable, Attorney Joseph Curran was able to obtain and preserve crucial evidence including, video surveillance footage, police call logs and witness statements, among other evidence which showed that the bar had previously violated local ordinances and regulations by allowing excessive numbers of patrons into the bar without providing adequate security and that the bar had allowed excessive crowding to occur on the night in question resulting in a dangerous environment for its patrons. The case settled prior to trial for $225,000.

2012: $150,000 settlement. A minor plaintiff, who was 5 at the time, was attacked by a pit bull mix breed at a multi-family property causing scarring on his forehead. The dog’s owners, who were tenants of the property, were uninsured. The Plaintiff’s counsel filed a claim against both the property owners and the dog owners. The property owners claimed they did not know the dog resided at the property, nor were they aware of the dog’s dangerous propensities. Plaintiff’s counsel identified the tenants’ previous landlord, who evicted the dog owners because the dog had attacked a different child. Counsel also located a previous tenant of the property who was expected to testify that the property owners knew the pit bull resided at the property and were aware that the dog was dangerous. The case settled at mediation for $150,000.

Factors That Affect Settlement Value of a Scarring Case

As mentioned above, every case has its own set of facts that must be looked at and taken into account when attempting to resolve a claim. In any scar injury case, factors that may affect the value of a case include:

Age: The younger the victim is, the greater value the claim will likely be.

Gender: Whether they admit it or not, jurors can be sexist when it comes to certain injuries. In any scar case, juries are more likely to place a higher value on a scarring injury to a woman than to a man.

Permanency of Scar: A scar that is permanent and visible will receive higher settlement value than a scar that has healed very well and is less visible.

Location of Scar: A scar that is located on a highly visible area such as the lips, cheeks, forehead, or eye area will be valued higher than a scar that may be covered by hair such as on the scalp.

Hiring a Massachusetts Lawyer for Your Personal Injury Claim

As with any legal case, there are important steps that must be taken in order to preserve your legal rights and therefore, it is important that you contact a Massachusetts personal injury attorney who can take action to preserve crucial evidence and begin to prosecute a civil action on your behalf. The reality is that most civil claims are settled in advance of any trial; however, when serious damages are possible, insurance carriers and defendants will go to great lengths to undermine and fight off any potential liability. The Weymouth injury lawyers at Curran Law Group, P.C. in Weymouth handle serious and catastrophic injury cases all over the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including, Boston, Norfolk County, Middlesex County, Plymouth County, Worcester County, Bristol County and else ware.

The personal injury attorneys at Curran Law Group, P.C. will take immediate steps to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding you injury and will take action to locate the evidence needed to win your case either at trial, mediation, arbitration or through a settlement.

Contact a Boston Massachusetts scar injury attorney at Curran Law Group, P.C., today at 781-331-3811 to discuss your legal rights and learn what options may be available to you. Our consultation is always FREE and we will not receive any compensation unless we are able to win your case in court or secure a favorable settlement or award on your behalf.