Scarring and Disfigurement from a Workplace Accident

Being in a work accident can mean facing life-threatening injuries—and also sustaining lifelong scarring or disfigurement. If you were permanently scarred or disfigured by a job-related accident, Silverman, McDonald & Friedman can help you seek the benefits you deserve. Our firm serves clients in Wilmington, Seaford, Newark, and throughout Delaware.

Having a lifelong change in your appearance is not only harmful to your health and damaging to your professional life; it can also have a profound impact on your emotional wellbeing. A prominent scar may cause you to feel self-conscious, depressed, angry, and affect your relationships with loved ones. Becoming disfigured could mean a loss of enjoyment in life and the inability to do the things you once loved.

Causes of scars and disfigurement

While certain injuries and illnesses heal, scarring and disfigurement may not. Your workplace-related scar or disfigurement may be caused by:

• Chemical burns
• Electrical burns
• Fire/thermal burns
• Cuts and lacerations
• Surgeries relating to your workplace accident

These injuries could lead to scars on your face, neck, arms or other visible area. It may even mean the loss of an eye or limb, or a severed finger or toe.

Workplace accidents take a variety of forms. Your scarring or disfigurement could have been caused by falling, being hit by a heavy object, toxic exposure, an explosion, or other serious accident. No matter what caused the accident or who was at fault, injured workers are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Compensation for scarring and disfigurement

Workers’ compensation in Delaware offers temporary and permanent disability benefits. In addition to your regular injury benefits, you may be eligible for disfigurement benefits, which are available for scars, burns, and amputations relating to a work accident. The scar or disfigurement must be visible when the victim is fully clothed, with certain exceptions.

You must wait until a year has passed since your accident or surgery occurred. Disfigurement is paid out in a number of weeks— typically up to 150 weeks, depending on the severity of the scar. Compensation will be paid depending on the severity of the scar or disfigurement. Your attorney can help you obtain the appropriate amount of compensation.

Call Silverman, McDonald & Friedman at 302-888-2900 or complete our contact form right away if you’ve been hurt at work. Our Wilmington, Newark, and Seaford workers’ compensation attorneys are ready to give you the legal representation you need and deserve.