Getting Compensation for Disfigurement After an Accident

A facial scar after a car accident. Burns from a workplace explosion. Amputation from a motorcycle crash. Disfigurement affects more than physical health; it can impact your confidence, relationships, and ability to feel comfortable in your own life.

In New York, if your injury meets the state’s legal threshold—which disfiguring injuries typically do—you may be able to seek compensation beyond basic PIP insurance coverage. That includes the right to hold the at-fault party accountable for your pain and the long-term personal cost of your disfigurement.

Read on to learn when disfigurement qualifies as a serious injury and how a skilled Syracuse catastrophic injury lawyer can help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Understanding Disfigurement Injuries

Disfigurement refers to a lasting change in your physical appearance after a serious accident. Often, these injuries result from vehicle crashes or other severe accidents caused by another’s negligence.

Examples of disfigurement include:

• Permanent scarring from deep cuts, burns, or surgical procedures
• Damage to the face that affects structure or balance
• Burns that leave visible changes in skin texture or tone
• Loss of a limb or lasting changes in body shape
• Ongoing swelling, visible marks, or indentations that don’t heal over time

The law recognizes that permanent changes to how you look can carry serious emotional and personal consequences. To seek full compensation, you and your lawyer must prove your condition meets the serious injury threshold.

Serious Injury Threshold in New York

New York uses a no-fault insurance system for car accidents, which means your own insurance covers your medical bills and lost wages, regardless of who caused the crash. But this system doesn’t account for the emotional and personal toll of a serious, life-changing injury.

To file an injury lawsuit and seek full compensation from the at-fault party, your condition must meet New York’s serious injury threshold, defined in Section 5102. Significant disfigurement is one of the qualifying categories.

If the change to your appearance is both permanent and visible, you may have the right to step outside the no-fault system and pursue additional damages. These damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Future medical expenses
• Loss of earning capacity

The actual value of your claim will depend on how your disfiguring injury has affected your health, emotional well-being, and daily life.

How Disfigurement Claims Are Valued

There’s no set value for a disfigurement injury. Instead, the amount you may recover depends on several personal and physical factors:

• Location of the Injury: Damage to the face, hands, or other prominent areas often leads to higher claim values because of the constant visibility.
  
  
• Severity and Size: A deep facial wound or large skin graft may result in a higher award than a small or less noticeable scar.
  
  
• Age of the Victim: Younger individuals may receive more owing to the fact they will have to live longer with the long-term emotional and social effects of their disfigurement, than those who were disfigured later in life.
  
  
• Disruption to Daily Life: Injuries that interfere with eating, speaking, working, or maintaining relationships can increase a claim’s value.
  
  
• Emotional and Psychological Effects: Anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal linked to the disfigurement should also be considered when calculating damages.

• Impact on Work or Lifestyle: If the disfigurement affects your job, especially in public-facing roles, or limits your ability to enjoy daily activities, it can increase the value of your claim.
  
  

At Catalano Law, our skilled Syracuse car accident lawyers consider all these factors when building your case and negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.

Evidence Needed To Prove Your Disfigurement Claim

A strong disfigurement claim relies on clear evidence that shows how it has changed your quality of life. Our qualified personal injury attorneys help you gather the documentation needed to support your case, including:

• Before-and-after photos offer a clear visual record of how your appearance has changed.
• Medical records and treatment plans document the injury, attempted care, and any permanent effects.
• Expert testimony from surgeons and specialists helps explain the severity and long-term impact.
• Psychological evaluations show how the injury affects your mental and emotional well-being.
• Personal statements from you or those close to you can highlight how your daily life has been affected.

Each piece of evidence helps tell the whole story of what you’ve been through and what financial support you need to rebuild your life.

Seek Maximum Compensation With Catalano Law

If someone else’s carelessness has left you with a permanent injury, you shouldn’t have to accept the bare minimum. You have the right to fight for financial recovery that covers the full scope of your losses.

At Catalano Law, we handle disfigurement cases with care and urgency. Whether you need a Syracuse work injury lawyer or an experienced car accident attorney, our team gathers the expert input and documentation to present the strongest possible claim.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle the legal side while you focus on healing and rebuilding.