Permanent scars and physical disfigurement can change much more than a person’s appearance. An injury suffered in a Schaumburg car accident, pedestrian collision, bicycle crash, motorcycle accident, fall, or other preventable incident may leave a scar that remains visible for the rest of the injured person’s life. Burns, facial injuries, surgical incisions, amputations, crushing injuries, and severe lacerations can all produce lasting changes in appearance. For people living and working in Schaumburg and nearby communities such as Arlington Heights, Palatine, Mount Prospect, Elk Grove Village, and Rolling Meadows, these injuries can affect employment, relationships, confidence, social activities, and everyday life. When I evaluate an Illinois personal injury claim involving permanent scarring or disfigurement, I consider both the physical injury itself and the long-term consequences that accompany it.
Illinois law recognizes disfigurement as an independent element of compensable damages in a personal injury case. Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction Civil 30.04 specifically identifies “the disfigurement resulting from the injury” as an element that may be submitted to a jury when supported by the evidence. Illinois courts have likewise recognized disfigurement as separate from other damages such as pain and suffering or loss of a normal life.
That distinction matters. A person may recover compensation for the permanent alteration of appearance even when other consequences of the injury are addressed through separate damage categories. For example, someone with a substantial facial scar may also experience physical pain, emotional distress, medical expenses, and limitations on normal activities. Those damages should not automatically be treated as one indistinguishable loss.
Illinois does not assign a predetermined dollar amount to a scar based on its length, location, or type. There is no statutory chart stating that a facial scar is worth one amount while a scar on an arm or leg is worth another.
Instead, the value of disfigurement depends on each person’s situation. I look at the size, visibility, texture, color, location, permanence, and overall look of the scar or disfigurement. A large scar on the face may affect someone differently than a smaller scar hidden by clothing, but both can be valid reasons for damages.
I also consider whether additional procedures could reduce the appearance of the injury and whether those procedures involve substantial cost, discomfort, recovery time, or uncertainty.
A visible injury can have bigger effects on daily life. Scars on the face or neck, burns, missing fingers, amputations, and other noticeable changes can affect how someone interacts with coworkers, customers, friends, family, and even strangers.
But visibility is not the only factor. A scar that is usually hidden can still affect close relationships, hobbies, clothing choices, swimming, exercise, and self-confidence.
When presenting these damages, I want the evidence to explain how the injury affects the particular person rather than relying only on photographs and measurements.
The age of an injured person can influence how long permanent disfigurement will remain part of that person’s life. A young accident victim who sustains a permanent facial scar may live with its effects for many decades.
Occupation can also matter. Someone whose work involves frequent public interaction, presentations, sales, entertainment, hospitality, or other face-to-face communication may experience consequences that differ from those experienced by another individual.
The purpose is not to establish that one person’s appearance is more valuable than another’s. Instead, I examine how the permanent physical change actually affects that particular client’s life.
Medical documentation is important in claims involving permanent scarring. Treatment records may establish the original severity of the wound, whether stitches or surgery were required, whether infection occurred, and whether additional treatment is recommended.
Photographs taken throughout recovery can also be valuable. They can show the progression from the initial injury through healing and demonstrate what remains after the wound has stabilized.
Plastic surgeons, dermatologists, treating physicians, and other medical professionals may provide information about whether a scar is permanent and whether revision surgery, laser treatment, injections, or other care could improve its appearance.
Permanent scarring often exists alongside other substantial damages. Depending on the circumstances, I may also pursue compensation for medical expenses, future medical treatment, lost income, diminished earning capacity, physical pain, emotional distress, disability, and loss of a normal life when supported by the evidence.
Illinois statutory law recognizes disfigurement among forms of non-economic loss. Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions also treat disfigurement separately from several other categories of personal injury damages.
This makes careful documentation important because the full claim should reflect more than the initial emergency room treatment or cost of repairing the wound.
Responsibility for the accident remains an important part of any Illinois injury claim. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, an injured person generally cannot recover damages when that person’s contributory fault is more than 50 percent of the proximate cause of the injury. If the person’s fault is 50 percent or less, damages can still be recovered but are reduced according to the percentage of fault attributed to that person.
For example, if total damages were determined to be $200,000 and the injured person was found 20 percent responsible, the recoverable damages would generally be reduced by 20 percent.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, Illinois generally requires an action seeking damages for personal injuries to be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrues. Certain circumstances can create different rules or deadlines, so I recommend evaluating the matter much earlier rather than assuming the full two-year period applies to every situation.
Prompt investigation also allows photographs, medical evidence, witness information, video recordings, and other evidence to be preserved while they are still available.
There is no standard settlement amount for a permanent scar in Illinois. I look at the severity, size, location, visibility, permanence, and appearance of the scar together with its effect on the person’s life.
A highly visible facial scar may present different damages than a smaller scar located in an area normally covered by clothing, but location is only one consideration. Medical treatment, age, occupation, psychological effects, future procedures, and the circumstances surrounding the injury may all influence valuation. Ultimately, if a case goes to trial, the jury determines an amount that reasonably and fairly compensates the injured person based on the evidence presented.
Yes. Illinois recognizes disfigurement as a separate element of damages. Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction Civil 30.04 specifically addresses compensation for disfigurement resulting from an injury.
Pain and suffering generally concerns the physical discomfort and suffering caused by an injury. Disfigurement concerns the alteration of a person’s appearance. Depending on the evidence, an injured person may have claims involving both categories as well as medical expenses, emotional distress, lost earnings, and loss of a normal life.
Potentially, yes. If another person’s negligence caused a Schaumburg collision that left you with a permanent facial scar, the scar may form an important component of your damages.
I would examine medical records, photographs, treatment history, recommendations for scar revision or plastic surgery, and how the injury affects your personal and professional life. Facial scarring can be especially significant because it may be difficult or impossible to conceal and may affect a person’s daily social interactions for years.
Not necessarily. There is no specific minimum scar length or severity requirement that automatically determines whether compensation is available. The question is whether the evidence establishes compensable disfigurement resulting from the injury.
Even a comparatively small scar can have meaningful consequences depending on its location, visibility, color, texture, and permanence. I consider the complete circumstances rather than evaluating the scar according to one measurement alone.
Photographs can be particularly useful because they show how an injury looked immediately after the accident, during treatment, and after healing. Medical records can establish the nature of the wound, surgeries, stitches, infections, grafts, or other treatment.
I may also consider opinions from treating doctors regarding permanence and possible future procedures. Before-and-after photographs can sometimes provide additional context. Evidence showing how the disfigurement affects work, social activities, relationships, clothing choices, recreational activities, or emotional well-being may also help demonstrate its real impact.
Future medical treatment may potentially be part of an injury claim when the treatment is reasonably necessary and supported by appropriate evidence. If a physician recommends scar revision, reconstructive surgery, laser treatment, or another procedure, the projected costs and related consequences may become relevant to damages.
I also consider whether additional procedures involve recovery time, pain, risks, missed employment, and the possibility that treatment will improve but not completely eliminate the disfigurement.
Permanent scarring can remain long after broken bones heal, vehicles are repaired, and the initial medical treatment ends. If another person’s negligence left you with scars, burns, facial injuries, an amputation, surgical scarring, or another form of permanent disfigurement, I can evaluate how the injury has affected your health, appearance, employment, finances, and normal life.
SJ INJURY LAW represents injured people in Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Northbrook, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Park Ridge, Rosemont, and Glenview, as well as Chicago and communities throughout Illinois.
If you suffered permanent scarring or disfigurement because of a car accident or another preventable injury, contact our Schaumburg car accident injury attorney at SJ INJURY LAW by calling (847) 434-3555 to receive your free consultation.
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