Scarring and Disfigurement Lawyer
When a person is involved in an accident of any kind, they are at risk of sustaining injuries. While many injuries heal completely overtime, leaving no evidence of their existence, some accidents leave permanent scars and disfigurement. Scarring and disfigurement injuries can be some of the most traumatic injuries to live with, and can lead to emotional impairment in addition to the physical effects of the injuries.
If you’ve been in an accident that has left you permanently scarred or disfigured, the attorneys at Burns & Jain can help you to recover the damages you deserve.
Causes of Scarring and Disfigurement Injuries
There are many types of accidents that may lead to scarring and disfigurement injuries. Sometimes, these injuries can be caused by a slip and fall accident caused by a property owner’s failure to maintain a safe property; a motor vehicle accident caused by an irresponsible driver; an animal attack; a workplace accident or explosion; an accident caused by a defective and dangerous product; a fire caused by someone’s negligence, and more.
The injuries may lead to scarring and disfigurement injuries anywhere on the body. While scarring and disfigurement injuries on the face are often thought to be the most traumatizing to live with, scarring and disfigurement injuries anywhere can be very painful and generally alter a person’s life.
Recovering Damages Following an Injury that Causes Scarring and Disfigurement
When an accident that causes scarring or disfigurement occurs, there is often someone responsible for the accident. Any time that an accident is caused by the negligent or recklessness behavior of another person, the victim of that accident has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages.
For example, if a drunk driver caused an accident that caused disfigurement injuries to the victim of the other vehicle involved, then the victim can demonstrate before a court that the driver was driving negligently and outside of the law at the time of the motor vehicle collision. Once proven, then the other driver would be held liable for damages. For all personal injury cases in Massachusetts where damages are being pursued, a victim must prove that the actions of another caused the accident, and that the scarring and disfigurement injuries would not have occurred but for those actions.
The one exception to the liability rule is in the case of dog bites. If bitten by a dog in Massachusetts, there is a strict liability statute in place. The strict liability statute means that when a dog attacks, the dog owner is automatically held liable for damages. This statute can be found in Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 140, Section 155.
Types of Damages Recoverable
If you can prove the liability of the person who caused your accident and therefore your scarring and disfigurement injuries, or if you’ve been attacked by a dog, then you can recover damages. In Massachusetts, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. The former are the amount of damages that are awarded based strictly on financial loss, such as medical expenses or lost wages. The latter are damages that are based on pain and suffering. For example, pain and emotional trauma are both non-economic damages.
Contact a Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you’ve been involved in an accident that caused permanent scarring or disfigurement, the attorneys at Burns & Jain can help you to recover damages for your injuries. The initial consultation is always free. For expert legal help, call our office now at 617-277-7423.